Metaphysics: An Introduction

If the sentence 'my cat is on the mat' is true how does it get to be true? Sentences are made true by what exists. But what about claims such as 'There were dinosaurs?' and '2+2=4'. How do they get to be true?

An Introduction uses the idea of truth and the quest for truth-makers to unravel philosophical problems in contemporary metaphysics. From the nature of properties and time to causation and objects, truth becomes a guiding theme to understanding metaphysical concepts and debates.

Now updated and expanded, this second edition presents a more comprehensive coverage of the field with new chapters on personal identity and free will. By focusing on method throughout, it offers the necessary skills and reasoning to tackle complex questions. Together with a glossary, discussion questions and guides to further reading, each chapter concludes with a series of mind maps to help visualise the logical space being explored and how the arguments push in different directions. An Introduction is suitable for anyone studying metaphysical problems for the first time.