Jessica Leech – författare

What is the relationship between ontology and modality - between what there is, and what there could be, must be, or might have been? Bob Hale interwove these two strands of metaphysics throughout his long and distinguished career, putting forward his theses in his book, Necessary Beings: An Essay on Ontology, Modality, and the Relations Between Them (OUP 2013). Hale addressed questions of ontology and modality on a number of fronts: through the developmentof a Fregean approach to ontology, an essentialist theory of modality, and in his work on neo-logicism in the philosophy of mathematics. The essays in this volume engage with these themes in Hale''s work in order to progress our understanding of ontology, modality, and the relations between them. Some directlyaddress questions in modal metaphysics, drawing on ontological concerns, while others raise questions in modal epistemology and of its links to matters of ontology, such as the challenge to give an epistemology of essence. Several essays also engage with questions of what might be called ''modal ontology'': the study of whether and what things exist necessarily or contingently. Such issues have an important bearing on the kinds of semantic commitments engendered in logic and mathematics (to theexistence of sets, or numbers, or properties, and so on) and the extent to which one''s ontology of necessary beings interacts with other plausible assumptions and commitments.

Essays on Existence and Essence presents a series of writings—including several previously unpublished—by Bob Hale on the topics of ontology and modality. The essays develop and consolidate a number of themes central to his work and to contemporary metaphysics, logic, and philosophy of language. They display Hale''s innovative approach to some of the most fundamental issues in philosophy, in dialogue (and, in some cases, in collaboration) with other leadingphilosophers. The notion of a definition is examined as it applies both to words—verbal definitions-and to things—real definitions—and the relations between these are brought out in order to address problems in the metaphysics of necessity and the semantics and epistemology of modality. Hale argues for anessentialist theory of the source of necessity and our knowledge of it, and provides rigorous and inventive responses to problems such a theory might face. This theoretical framework is applied to the recently influential truthmaking approach to semantics and logic, developing an exact truthmaker account of universal quantification and modal statements. Other topics covered include the Fregean theory of ontological categories, the status of second-order logic, the metaphysics ofnumbers, and the nature of analytic propositions. The volume opens with a substantial introduction by Kit Fine, providing a critical examination of Hale''s philosophy, and closes with a complete bibliography of Hale''s writings.

Essays on Existence and Essence presents a series of writings—including several previously unpublished—by Bob Hale on the topics of ontology and modality. The essays develop and consolidate a number of themes central to his work and to contemporary metaphysics, logic, and philosophy of language. They display Hale''s innovative approach to some of the most fundamental issues in philosophy, in dialogue (and, in some cases, in collaboration) with other leadingphilosophers. The notion of a definition is examined as it applies both to words—verbal definitions-and to things—real definitions—and the relations between these are brought out in order to address problems in the metaphysics of necessity and the semantics and epistemology of modality. Hale argues for anessentialist theory of the source of necessity and our knowledge of it, and provides rigorous and inventive responses to problems such a theory might face. This theoretical framework is applied to the recently influential truthmaking approach to semantics and logic, developing an exact truthmaker account of universal quantification and modal statements. Other topics covered include the Fregean theory of ontological categories, the status of second-order logic, the metaphysics ofnumbers, and the nature of analytic propositions. The volume opens with a substantial introduction by Kit Fine, providing a critical examination of Hale''s philosophy, and closes with a complete bibliography of Hale''s writings.

What is the relationship between ontology and modality - between what there is, and what there could be, must be, or might have been? Bob Hale interwove these two strands of metaphysics throughout his long and distinguished career, putting forward his theses in his book, Necessary Beings: An Essay on Ontology, Modality, and the Relations Between Them (OUP 2013). Hale addressed questions of ontology and modality on a number of fronts: through the development of a Fregean approach to ontology, an essentialist theory of modality, and in his work on neo-logicism in the philosophy of mathematics. The essays in this volume engage with these themes in Hale's work in order to progress our understanding of ontology, modality, and the relations between them. Some directly address questions in modal metaphysics, drawing on ontological concerns, while others raise questions in modal epistemology and of its links to matters of ontology, such as the challenge to give an epistemology of essence. Several essays also engage with questions of what might be called 'modal ontology': the study of whether and what things exist necessarily or contingently. Such issues have an important bearing on the kinds of semantic commitments engendered in logic and mathematics (to the existence of sets, or numbers, or properties, and so on) and the extent to which one's ontology of necessary beings interacts with other plausible assumptions and commitments.

Essays on Existence and Essence presents a series of writings--including several previously unpublished--by Bob Hale on the topics of ontology and modality. The essays develop and consolidate a number of themes central to his work and to contemporary metaphysics, logic, and philosophy of language. They display Hale's innovative approach to some of the most fundamental issues in philosophy, in dialogue (and, in some cases, in collaboration) with other leading philosophers. The notion of a definition is examined as it applies both to words--verbal definitions-and to things--real definitions--and the relations between these are brought out in order to address problems in the metaphysics of necessity and the semantics and epistemology of modality. Hale argues for an essentialist theory of the source of necessity and our knowledge of it, and provides rigorous and inventive responses to problems such a theory might face. This theoretical framework is applied to the recently influential truthmaking approach to semantics and logic, developing an exact truthmaker account of universal quantification and modal statements. Other topics covered include the Fregean theory of ontological categories, the status of second-order logic, the metaphysics of numbers, and the nature of analytic propositions. The volume opens with a substantial introduction by Kit Fine, providing a critical examination of Hale's philosophy, and closes with a complete bibliography of Hale's writings.

Thinking of Necessity: A Kantian Account of Modal Thought and Modal Metaphysics sets out a Kant-inspired theory of modality, i.e., possibility and necessity. The theory is driven by a methodology which takes seriously questions about the function of modal judgment, i.e., the role or purpose of judgments of possibility and necessity, as a guide to a metaphysics of modality. Kant is a good example for how to develop this methodological approach since, for Kant, modal concepts play an important role in our capacity for thought and experience of the world. The book argues that we need logical modal concepts as a condition on our ability to think, and metaphysical modal concepts as a condition on our ability to think objectively, i.e., to think about the world. Concordant with this, it argues that logical necessity has its source in the laws of thought and that metaphysical necessity is relative to conditions on objective thought. This account of metaphysical necessity, which is termed “Modal Transcendentalism”, is then further developed, covering questions concerning necessary and contingent existence, de re necessity, essentialism, and modal epistemology. The theory of modality developed in the book is inspired by aspects of Kant's writings on modality, but the development and defence of the theory is undertaken mostly independently of Kant.

Thinking of Necessity: A Kantian Account of Modal Thought and Modal Metaphysics sets out a Kant-inspired theory of modality, i.e., possibility and necessity. The theory is driven by a methodology which takes seriously questions about the function of modal judgment, i.e., the role or purpose of judgments of possibility and necessity, as a guide to a metaphysics of modality. Kant is a good example for how to develop this methodological approach since, for Kant, modal concepts play an important role in our capacity for thought and experience of the world. The book argues that we need logical modal concepts as a condition on our ability to think, and metaphysical modal concepts as a condition on our ability to think objectively, i.e., to think about the world. Concordant with this, it argues that logical necessity has its source in the laws of thought and that metaphysical necessity is relative to conditions on objective thought. This account of metaphysical necessity, which is termed “Modal Transcendentalism”, is then further developed, covering questions concerning necessary and contingent existence, de re necessity, essentialism, and modal epistemology. The theory of modality developed in the book is inspired by aspects of Kant''s writings on modality, but the development and defence of the theory is undertaken mostly independently of Kant.

Thinking of Necessity: A Kantian Account of Modal Thought and Modal Metaphysics sets out a Kant-inspired theory of modality, i.e., possibility and necessity. The theory is driven by a methodology which takes seriously questions about the function of modal judgment, i.e., the role or purpose of judgments of possibility and necessity, as a guide to a metaphysics of modality. Kant is a good example for how to develop this methodological approach since, for Kant, modal concepts play an important role in our capacity for thought and experience of the world. The book argues that we need logical modal concepts as a condition on our ability to think, and metaphysical modal concepts as a condition on our ability to think objectively, i.e., to think about the world. Concordant with this, it argues that logical necessity has its source in the laws of thought and that metaphysical necessity is relative to conditions on objective thought. This account of metaphysical necessity, which is termed “Modal Transcendentalism”, is then further developed, covering questions concerning necessary and contingent existence, de re necessity, essentialism, and modal epistemology. The theory of modality developed in the book is inspired by aspects of Kant''s writings on modality, but the development and defence of the theory is undertaken mostly independently of Kant.

This volume explores whether and how Kant’s philosophy can help us to advance debates in several different areas of contemporary philosophy.Kant’s philosophy has enjoyed continued and enthusiastic interest of scholars ever since its inception. However, the question of just how exactly and to what extent Kant is important in today’s philosophical landscape bears repeated exploration. With an emphasis on encompassing Kant’s system and placing it in the context of current philosophical debates, this volume explores the significance of Kant’s philosophy for metaphysics, epistemology, metaphilosophy and metaontology, philosophy of action, ethics, aesthetics, and political philosophy. The chapters address topics that range from the concept of corporate agency, language, and culture within the context of Kant’s philosophy, gustatory aesthetics, the unexplored connections between the contemporary political category of communitarianism with central ideas in Kant’s aesthetics, and more.Kant’s Legacy for the 21st Century will appeal to scholars and advanced students who are working on Kant, as well as on contemporary issues in metaphysics, epistemology, metaphilosophy, philosophy of action, philosophy of cognitive science, ethics, aesthetics, and political philosophy.

This volume explores whether and how Kant's philosophy can help us to advance debates in several different areas of contemporary philosophy.Kant's philosophy has enjoyed continued and enthusiastic interest of scholars ever since its inception. However, the question of just how exactly and to what extent Kant is important in today's philosophical landscape bears repeated exploration. With an emphasis on encompassing Kant's system and placing it in the context of current philosophical debates, this volume explores the significance of Kant's philosophy for metaphysics, epistemology, metaphilosophy and metaontology, philosophy of action, ethics, aesthetics, and political philosophy. The chapters address topics that range from the concept of corporate agency, language, and culture within the context of Kant's philosophy, gustatory aesthetics, the unexplored connections between the contemporary political category of communitarianism with central ideas in Kant's aesthetics, and more.Kant's Legacy for the 21st Century will appeal to scholars and advanced students who are working on Kant, as well as on contemporary issues in metaphysics, epistemology, metaphilosophy, philosophy of action, philosophy of cognitive science, ethics, aesthetics, and political philosophy.