David S. Oderberg is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Reading. He has published many books and articles in metaphysics, philosophical logic, ethics, philosophy of religion, and other subjects.

"Presents vigorous and wide-ranging arguments in defense of an Aristotelian metaphysical scheme…this book puts forward many unfashionable views. But it argues for them with vigor and erudition." Crawford L. Elder, Analysis Reviews"Oderberg… exemplifies the unfortunately rare combination in analytical philosophy of rigorous and historically informed argumentation…This book places hylomorphism squarely on the table for discussion." Sebastian Rehnman, Review of Metaphysics"a major intellectual achievement....I can particularly recommend, for those interested in such matters--as many metaphysicians presently are--his very well informed discussion of powers and laws of nature, which raises important objections to many current accounts of these." E.J. Lowe, The Philosophical Quarterly"...there can be no doubt that this learned and rigorous work deserves a wide readership."--Edward Feser, Faith and Philosophy

• 1. Contemporary Essentialism and Real Essentialism 2. Some Varieties of Anti-Essentialism 3. The Reality and Knowability of Essence 4. The Structure of Essence 5. Essence and Identity 6. Essence and Existence 7. Aspects of Essence 8. Life 9. Species, Biological and Metaphysical 10. The Person