Douglas Edwards – författare

What is truth? What role does truth play in the connections between language and the world? What is the relationship between truth and being? The Metaphysics of Truth tackles these fundamental philosophical questions and proposes a distinctive metaphysical worldview. Douglas Edwards develops a detailed pluralist theory, which holds that there are different relationships between language and the world in different subject areas, or 'domains'. He explains what domains are; how different domains are individuated; which metaphysical frameworks apply in different domains; and how a pluralist view of truth plays a key role. The connections between truth and being are explored, yielding a form of ontological pluralism-the idea that there are different ways of being-which increases the explanatory power of the view. This project is carried out in a climate where the traditionally central issue of the nature of truth has diminished in significance due to the rise of deflationary and primitivist views, which deny that there are interesting and informative things to say about truth. Edwards responds to these views, and demonstrates the importance of the metaphysics of truth with regard to both the study of truth itself, and metaphysical debates more generally. Moreover, Edwards pays particular attention to domains which have not been given much consideration in debates about truth, namely the institutional and social domains, and connects work on the metaphysics of truth and being to key issues in social construction.

The world is populated with many different objects, to which we often attribute properties: we say, for example, that grass is green, that the earth is spherical, that humans are animals, and that murder is wrong. We also take it that these properties are things in their own right: there is something in which being green, or spherical, or an animal, or wrong, consists, and that certain scientific or normative projects are engaged in uncovering the essences of such properties. In light of this, an important question arises: what kind of things should we take properties themselves to be? In Properties, Douglas Edwards gives an engaging, accessible, and up-to-date introduction to the many theories of properties available. Edwards charts the central positions in the debate over properties, including the views that properties are universals, that properties are constructed from tropes, and that properties are classes of objects, and assesses the benefits and disadvantages of each. Attempts to deny the existence of properties are also considered, along with ‘pluralist’ proposals, which aim to accommodate the different kinds of properties that are found in various philosophical debates. Properties is the ideal introduction to this topic and will be an invaluable resource for scholars and students wishing to learn more about the important roles that properties have played, and continue to play, in contemporary philosophy.

The world is populated with many different objects, to which we often attribute properties: we say, for example, that grass is green, that the earth is spherical, that humans are animals, and that murder is wrong. We also take it that these properties are things in their own right: there is something in which being green, or spherical, or an animal, or wrong, consists, and that certain scientific or normative projects are engaged in uncovering the essences of such properties. In light of this, an important question arises: what kind of things should we take properties themselves to be? In Properties, Douglas Edwards gives an engaging, accessible, and up-to-date introduction to the many theories of properties available. Edwards charts the central positions in the debate over properties, including the views that properties are universals, that properties are constructed from tropes, and that properties are classes of objects, and assesses the benefits and disadvantages of each. Attempts to deny the existence of properties are also considered, along with ‘pluralist’ proposals, which aim to accommodate the different kinds of properties that are found in various philosophical debates. Properties is the ideal introduction to this topic and will be an invaluable resource for scholars and students wishing to learn more about the important roles that properties have played, and continue to play, in contemporary philosophy.

What is a detached life? Is it fit for human beings? Can we engage in meaningful relationships and be socially responsible if we are detached? Douglas Edwards answers these questions and more in this wide-ranging and comparative exploration of the concept of detachment, encompassing Eastern and Western and ancient and modern philosophical approaches. In dialogue with authors including ancient Greek thinkers, Plato and Epicurus, Buddhist philosopher, Nagarjuna, and early Daoist, Zhuangzi, the first half of the book explores a number of different models of the life of detachment. Described in lively and engaging prose, these range from detachment from the concerns of the human world to an attachment to nothingness. Then, Edwards subjects detachment to the tests of experience. In the final four chapters he engages with existential unease and asks how detachment can offer a way of life that makes us more, rather than less, human, before also considering, via Marx, alienation and other forms of unintentional detachment. As life in our times grows increasingly unstable, Detachment as a Way of Life demonstrates how letting go can be just what you need to live a fulfilled and socially-responsible life. For anyone wanting to assess their own attachments and discern what really matters, this is the book for you.

What is a detached life? Is it fit for human beings? Can we engage in meaningful relationships and be socially responsible if we are detached? Douglas Edwards answers these questions and more in this wide-ranging and comparative exploration of the concept of detachment, encompassing Eastern and Western and ancient and modern philosophical approaches. In dialogue with authors including ancient Greek thinkers, Plato and Epicurus, Buddhist philosopher, Nagarjuna, and early Daoist, Zhuangzi, the first half of the book explores a number of different models of the life of detachment. Described in lively and engaging prose, these range from detachment from the concerns of the human world to an attachment to nothingness. Then, Edwards subjects detachment to the tests of experience. In the final four chapters he engages with existential unease and asks how detachment can offer a way of life that makes us more, rather than less, human, before also considering, via Marx, alienation and other forms of unintentional detachment. As life in our times grows increasingly unstable, Detachment as a Way of Life demonstrates how letting go can be just what you need to live a fulfilled and socially-responsible life. For anyone wanting to assess their own attachments and discern what really matters, this is the book for you.

For the first time Truth: A Contemporary Reader brings together essays that have shaped two aspects of a fundamental philosophical topic: the nature of truth and the value of truth.Featuring 22 essays, this up-to-date reader includes seminal work by leading figures in contemporary analytic philosophy. It charts the development of the central 'grand proposals' about the nature of truth, and subsequently how their influence gradually diminished in face of new theories developed in the 20th and 21st-centuries. The reader also demonstrates how truth is often taken to be valuable in various ways, in particular as the norm of correctness for belief and assertion, and the relationship between truth and other epistemic values.With introductory overviews to each group of related papers complemented by guides to further reading, this reader introduces the central debates, familiarizes students with the most important work in the field and covers pivotal theories of truth including:- correspondence theories- coherentism, pragmatism, verificationism - deflationary, primitivist, and pluralist theories Moreover, by showing how thoughts about truth and value bear heavily on one another, Truth: A Contemporary Reader provides new opportunities for understanding and advancing the link between these central topics. This is an essential collection for anyone studying or working in metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of language today.

For the first time Truth: A Contemporary Reader brings together essays that have shaped two aspects of a fundamental philosophical topic: the nature of truth and the value of truth.Featuring 22 essays, this up-to-date reader includes seminal work by leading figures in contemporary analytic philosophy. It charts the development of the central 'grand proposals' about the nature of truth, and subsequently how their influence gradually diminished in face of new theories developed in the 20th and 21st-centuries. The reader also demonstrates how truth is often taken to be valuable in various ways, in particular as the norm of correctness for belief and assertion, and the relationship between truth and other epistemic values.With introductory overviews to each group of related papers complemented by guides to further reading, this reader introduces the central debates, familiarizes students with the most important work in the field and covers pivotal theories of truth including:- correspondence theories- coherentism, pragmatism, verificationism - deflationary, primitivist, and pluralist theories Moreover, by showing how thoughts about truth and value bear heavily on one another, Truth: A Contemporary Reader provides new opportunities for understanding and advancing the link between these central topics. This is an essential collection for anyone studying or working in metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of language today.

From its carnival origins to its current status as a global phenomenon, pro wrestling has a unique presence in popular culture. Part sport and part theatre, the impressive antics of its larger-than-life characters have captured the imaginations of generations of fans, and prompted endless speculation about behind-the-scenes machinations.Philosophy Smackdown is a study of pro wrestling as distinctive as pro wrestling itself: it is the first philosophical look at this major cultural spectacle. Philosopher and fan Douglas Edwards takes both philosophy and pro wrestling to parts unknown. With liveliness, humor and insight, he shows that pro wrestling is fertile ground for reflection on fundamental human issues, such as reality, freedom, identity, morality, justice, and meaning. He explores these through pivotal events in pro wrestling, from the eighties heyday of Hulkamania to the recent emergence of AEW.Philosophy Smackdown is a read that will delight philosophers and pro wrestling fans alike. It's time to ask yourself: Whatcha gonna do when Philosophy Smackdown runs wild on you?