A01=Arthur Witherall
abstract
Abstract Objects
Aesthetic Meaning
analytical philosophy
argument
Author_Arthur Witherall
Brute Fact
Category=QDTJ
Category=QDTK
Category=QDTM
continental philosophy
Cosmic Artist
deflationary
Deflationary Position
Deflationary Response
Deflationary View
empty
Empty World
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
Felt Meanings
fundamental
Gift Metaphor
Immanent Beings
Impure Appreciation
Leibnizian Argument
Literally Nonsensical
Mathematical Antinomies
Maximal States
metaphysics fundamentals
necessary being
Nietzsche's Ontology
objects
ontological arguments
Ontological Giving
origins of universe explanation
Platonist Response
question
Rational Explanation
response
subtraction
Subtraction Argument
Tame Tigers
Teleological Response
Transcendent Awe
value theory
Van Inwagen
world
Product details
- ISBN 9780754608585
- Weight: 385g
- Dimensions: 156 x 234mm
- Publication Date: 19 Nov 2002
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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This book explores the question of why there is something instead of nothing. Several responses to this question are possible, but only some of them address the question seriously, respecting its emotional aspects as well as its cognitive dimension. The author carefully distinguishes those answers that are truly satisfactory, in both respects, from those that are inadequate. It can be argued that the existence of the world has no explanation at all, or that there is a necessary being whose existence is self-explanatory, or that the world exists because it has value. Each kind of response is defensible to some degree, and it is argued that where they are defensible, they have a common content. Incorporating aspects of both the 'analytical' and 'continental' traditions, this book also responds to several historical philosophers concerned with these questions, including Plato, Leibniz, Kant and Nietzsche.
Arthur Witherall, Australian National University, Australia
