| Eternal Possibilities: A Neutral Ground for Meaning and Existence Contributor(s): Weissman, David (Author) |
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ISBN: 0809328704 ISBN-13: 9780809328703 Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press OUR PRICE: $38.61 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: August 2008 Annotation: "Eternal Possibilities: A Neutral Ground for Meaning and Existence" builds on David Weissman's earlier" Dispositional Properties" and makes a signal contribution to the study of metaphysics. Here, broadening and enriching the point of view adopted in his earlier work, Weissman cites and criticizes a large number of theories proposed by authors from Plato to Wittgenstein and others exploring language theory and metaphysics. ""Students of Wittgenstein will be especially interested in Mr. Weissman's critical examination of Wittgenstein's claim in the" Tractatus" that possibilities are the facts for logic. Weissman proposes a modal theory of properties: they exist in the first instance as possibilities. He argues that a sentence is meaningful if it signifies a property or complex of properties existing as a possible, and true if that possible is instantiated. The status of possibilities and their relation to actual states of affairs are considered in detail. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Philosophy | Metaphysics |
| Physical Information: 0.8" H x 5.9" W x 8.9" (0.95 lbs) 312 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Eternal Possibilities: A Neutral Ground for Meaning and Existence builds on David Weissman's earlier Dispositional Properties and makes a signal contribution to the study of metaphysics. Here, broadening and enriching the point of view adopted in his earlier work, Weissman cites and criticizes a large number of theories proposed by authors from Plato to Wittgenstein and others exploring language theory and metaphysics. Students of Wittgenstein will be especially interested in Mr. Weissman's critical examination of Wittgenstein's claim in the Tractatus that possibilities are the facts for logic. Weissman proposes a modal theory of properties: they exist in the first instance as possibilities. He argues that a sentence is meaningful if it signifies a property or complex of properties existing as a possible, and true if that possible is instantiated. The status of possibilities and their relation to actual states of affairs are considered in detail. |