A Critical Introduction to the Metaphysics of Modality examines the eight main contemporary theories of possibility behind a central metaphysical topic. Covering modal skepticism, modal expressivism, modalism, modal realism, ersatzism, modal fictionalism, modal agnosticism, and the new modal actualism, this comprehensive introduction to modality places contemporary debates in an historical context. Beginning with a historical overview, Andrea Borghini discusses Parmenides and Zeno; looks at how central Medieval authors such as Aquinas, and Buridan prepared the ground for the Early Modern radical views of Leibniz, Spinoza, and Hume and discusses advancements in semantics in the later-half of the twentieth century a resulted in the rise of modal metaphysics, the branch characterizing the past few decades of philosophical reflection. Framing the debate according to three main perspectives - logical, epistemic, metaphysical- Borghini provides the basic concepts and terms required to discuss modality. With suggestions of further reading and end-of-chapter study questions, A Critical Introduction to the Metaphysics of Modality is an up-to-date resource for students working in contemporary metaphysics seeking a better understanding of this crucial topic.

A Critical Introduction to the Metaphysics of Modality examines the eight main contemporary theories of possibility behind a central metaphysical topic. Covering modal skepticism, modal expressivism, modalism, modal realism, ersatzism, modal fictionalism, modal agnosticism, and the new modal actualism, this comprehensive introduction to modality places contemporary debates in an historical context. Beginning with a historical overview, Andrea Borghini discusses Parmenides and Zeno; looks at how central Medieval authors such as Aquinas, and Buridan prepared the ground for the Early Modern radical views of Leibniz, Spinoza, and Hume and discusses advancements in semantics in the later-half of the twentieth century a resulted in the rise of modal metaphysics, the branch characterizing the past few decades of philosophical reflection. Framing the debate according to three main perspectives - logical, epistemic, metaphysical- Borghini provides the basic concepts and terms required to discuss modality. With suggestions of further reading and end-of-chapter study questions, A Critical Introduction to the Metaphysics of Modality is an up-to-date resource for students working in contemporary metaphysics seeking a better understanding of this crucial topic.

Analytic philosophy has recently demonstrated a revived interest in metaphysical problems about possibility and necessity. Graeme Forbes here provides a careful description of the logical background of recent work in this area for those who may be unfamiliar with it, moving on to d discuss the distinction between modality de re and modality de dicto and the ontological commitments of possible worlds semantics. In addition, Forbes offers a unified theory of the essential properties of sets, organisms, artefacts, substances, and events, based on the doctrine that identity facts must be intrinsically grounded, and analyzes and rejects apparent counterexamples to this doctrine.

This work examines several major projects in Plantinga's career, particularly as they relate to his defense of the rationality of theistic belief. Chapters are dedicated to his modal ontological argument, his free will defense, his attacks on inductive arguments from evil, and his «Reformed epistemology» program, in which he argues that theistic belief can be rational without reliance on propositional evidence. Along the way the book deals with important issues in possible worlds semantics, probability theory, and the theory of knowledge. Account is taken of Plantinga's most recent work, including his forthcoming books in epistemology. Though some portions of the work deal with technical concepts of modal and probabilistic logics, all professional philosophers and many professional theologians should find the book accessible, understandable, and informative.

This volume offers a wide-ranging and profound collection of essays on philosophical psychology and conceptions of modality from antiquity to the present day, with some essays on the philosophy of religion as well. The contributions deal with mind's cognitive and emotional functions, the modal notions and the philosophical approaches to religion as well as logical, semantic and epistemological issues concerning them. Of twenty-one contributions, six focus on ancient thought, nine on medieval thought, and six on modern and contemporary thought. The book illustrates how philosophical theories of mind and modalities developed through the centuries in western philosophy. It is particularly useful for those interested in the analysis of emotions, their cognitive bearing and ethical significance. Contributors include: Lilli Alanen, Joël Biard, David Charles, Ingolf U. Dalferth, Sten Ebbesen, Eyjólfur Kjalar Emilsson, Jaakko Hintikka, Vesa Hirvonen, Toivo J. Holopainen, Heikki Kirjavainen, Taneli Kukkonen, Henrik Lagerlund, Ilkka Niiniluoto, C.G. Normore, Martha C. Nussbaum, Marco M. Olivetti, Risto Saarinen, Juha Sihvola, Miira Tuominen, Reijo Työrinoja, and Mikko Yrjönsuuri. Publications by Simo Knuuttila: - "Duns Scotus and the Foundations of Logical Modalities", in: Ludger Honnefelder, Rega Wood and Mechthild Dreyer (eds.), John Duns Scotus: Metaphysics and Ethics, ISBN: 978 90 04 10357 3 - "Necessities in Buridan's Natural Philosophy", in: J.M.M.H. Thijssen and Jack Zupko (eds.), Metaphysics and Natural Philosophy of John Buridan, ISBN: 978 90 04 11514 9