Realism and Anti-Realism

di Stuart Brock (Autore)

Edwin Mares (Autore)

Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2006

There are a bewildering variety of ways the terms "realism" and "anti-realism" have been used in philosophy and furthermore the different uses of these terms are only loosely connected with one another. Rather than give a piecemeal map of this very diverse landscape, the authors focus on what they see as the core concept: realism about a particular domain is the view that there are facts or entities distinctive of that domain, and their existence and nature is in some important sense objective and mind-independent. The authors carefully set out and explain the different realist and anti-realist positions and arguments that occur in five key domains: science, ethics, mathematics, modality and fictional objects. For each area the authors examine the various styles of argument in support of and against realism and anti-realism, show how these different positions and arguments arise in very different domains, evaluate their success within these fields, and draw general conclusions about these assorted strategies. Error theory, fictionalism, non-cognitivism, relativism and response-dependence are taken as the most important positions in opposition to the realist and these are explored in depth. Suitable for advanced level undergraduates, the book offers readers a clear introduction to a subject central to much contemporary work in metaphysics, epistemology and philosophy of language.

• Autore: Stuart Brock, Edwin Mares
• Editore: Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Collana: Central Problems of Philosophy
• Anno: 2006
• Rilegatura: Paperback / softback
• Pagine: 256 p.
• Dimensioni: 198 x 129 mm
• Peso: 453 gr.
• EAN: 9781844650255

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