"'Angela Coventry's book is an outstanding example of the way in which philosophy's past and present can illuminate each other. First, it provides a careful and insightful account of the distinction between realism and anti-realism, and a systematic approach to distinguishing quasi-realism as a genuine third alternative across a range of topics. Second, it gives a lucid, sensitive, and well-informed historical account of Hume's account of causation, arguing vigorously that an interpretation of that account along quasi-realist lines is superior, as historical interpretation, to more standard realist and anti-realist readings. Finally, she argues that the resulting Humean quasi-realist theory of causation is philosophically superior to other theories of causation that have been attributed to Hume. This book will be of great value to anyone interested in Hume, causation, or metaphysics.' Don Garrett, New York University"

This is a brilliant new interpretation of one of the most famous, and yet one of the most puzzling, theories in the history of philosophy - David Hume's account of what a 'cause' is. Laying new emphasis on the connections between Hume's theories of cause, space and time, morals, and aesthetics, it will be of great value to anyone interested in Hume, causation, or metaphysics more generally. Causation has always been a central topic in the history of philosophy. Many theories of causation have been advanced, but not one has approached anything like general acceptance. Yet the concept of causation is prevalent in many areas of contemporary philosophy: there are the causal theories of language, of action, of personal identity, of knowledge, of perception, of scientific explanation and of reference. If causation is doing all this philosophical work, it seems essential to strive for an intelligible account of what a 'cause' actually is. One obvious place to start is Hume's analysis of causation, which is generally thought to be the most significant and influential single contribution to the topic. But despite the widely recognized importance of his analysis, many opposing interpretations surround his causal theory. There are some commentators who believe that his theory is a version of realism and many others who argue that it is a version of anti-realism. There is considerable textual evidence for, and also against, each interpretation. Angela Coventry develops a more conciliatory approach. She argues that Hume's causal theory is best understood as 'quasi-realist' - an intermediate position between realism and anti-realism. This makes sense of some seemingly contradictory passages in Hume's work and also provides an answer to a major objection that is commonly thought to devastate his causal theory. Coventry then goes on to outline a general, topic-independent, conception of quasi-realism as distinct from realism and anti-realism that allows it to stand as a consistent third alternative.
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Presents an interpretation of David Hume's account of what a 'cause' is. This book emphasises on the connections between Hume's theories of cause, space and time, morals, and aesthetics. It presents an argument that Hume's causal theory is best understood as 'quasi-realist', an intermediate position between realism and anti-realism.
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Preface; Chapter I: An Introduction to Realism, Anti-Realism, and Quasi-Realism; Chapter II: Quasi-Realism Again: An Intermediate Interpretation; Chapter III: An Introduction to David Hume's Theory of Causation; Chapter IV: The Intermediate Interpretation Applied to Hume's Theory of Causation; Chapter V: Concluding Remarks; Bibliography; Index.
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Presents an interpretation of David Hume's account of what a 'cause' is. This book emphasises on the connections between Hume's theories of cause, space and time, morals, and aesthetics. It presents an argument that Hume's causal theory is best understood as 'quasi-realist', an intermediate position between realism and anti-realism.
Les mer
One of the most important books on Hume of the past 20 years.
Continuum Studies in British Philosophy presents cutting-edge scholarship in the history of British philosophy. The wholly original arguments, perspectives and research findings in titles in this series make it an important and stimulating resource for students and academics from across the field.
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780826486356
Publisert
2006-06-08
Utgiver
Vendor
Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Vekt
300 gr
Høyde
234 mm
Bredde
156 mm
Aldersnivå
UU, UP, P, 05, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
192

Biografisk notat

Angela M. Coventry teaches philosophy at Portland State University, Oregon, USA. Among her publications are Locke, Hume, and the idea of Causal Power (Locke Studies, 2003).