An Introduction to Metaphysics (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy)

For laymen like myself who want to know more about philosophy and particularly metaphysics, this is a must read. Nicely-structured and with clear language, you will not be disappointed.

Carroll's effort to produce a book that outlines the major themes without losing any relevance succeeds on both fronts. It is well written and neither condescending nor over simplified. Most importantly it is upto date and despite the word "introduction" it is far from being a primer. The section on causality is especially good.

If I was wanting to quickly and efficiently construct a precis of the logical geography, of positions, proponents and gists of arguments on many standard metaphysical topics, or if I was wanting final revision material the night before an exam, then this is without doubt the book I would want to have handy. If, however, I wanted my hand held while being taken to the ledge from which to survey the abstruse domains wherein professional philosophers operated then I would choose Michael Loux's Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction . However, I would add that Loux makes far more sense on a second reading having also read this book. To make it perfectly clear that any philosophy text, even introductions, must invariably be written from a personal perspective I would also recommend van Inwagen's Metaphysics and Lowe's A Survey of Metaphysics as presenting clear alternative accounts. Taking in introductions from multiple perspectives helps to loosen up one's thinking and helps one to start to think critically for oneself about the topics addressed. At this stage one is then ready to really get one's hands dirty with collections of essays and papers such as Contemporary Debates in Metaphysics .

This book does touch on most of the key topics that arise in your first step into metaphysics. But, as it's an introductory text, it lacks a lot of detail in certain areas that make it fairly useless in some respects. There also seems to be a severe lack of impartiality in places, which is something that one should really desire in a textbook, let alone a Philosophy one. The book does simply lay out some key areas and does have some good points, hence the 3 out of 5 rating. Perhaps more suited to a Lower Sixth Form level of study rather than University or higher.

I came to this book with great expectations after using an earlier book in this series. It is well produced, attractive type, nice paper and the chapter headings suggest a traditional overview of metaphysics as needed by the novice: it is, it claims, an "accessible introduction". The blurb on the back claims that it is "well written". I was disappointed. The book starts by telling us that metaphysics isn't the study of the occult etc (does anyone buying it really need to be told that?) yet by page 13 the authors are demonstrating the notation of predicate logic. Many new to the subject might well give up at that point. The writing has a causal humourless folksiness that I found both irritating and condescending: things "seem a little worrisome", "sure seems possible", "we will work diligently..", "we will not resist using", "we will not make a big deal", "it's unlovely in a certain way', considerations "stir up a whole lot of trouble", "is a little easier to take"., "they are not oomphy enough", "creates a little bit of a puzzle", issues are a "thorn in the side", and so on. People "holler", problems "ignite". The reader is told that s/he didn't anticipate something, must "hold on". There is lot of verbal packing and being told, for example, that something is getting interesting. Sentences start indirectly with phrases that add nothing: "it goes without saying that...", "what happens in the case of interest here is that..", "what's simplistic is that...", "the standard story here is...". We're told that an example "appears to throw this common assumption for loop" - whatever that means. You may like this style and find this sort of writing suits you, but I suspect that many readers will share my irritations, as well as the American examples like the dime in my pants (if you want to sell this elsewhere than the USA then choose examples that others might recognise). This isn't well written in my view: it's the sort of writing that gives philosophy a bad name and it isn't necessary. (I turned to Richard Taylor's 'Metaphysics' with relief). I thought I was being tough when I wrote this review, so set it aside for a year and returned to the book. But my opinion is unchanged. This could have been a welcome addition to an excellent series of books but it's spoiled by lack of plain English. No-one thought that metaphysics would be easy, but it isn't as hard as this.

Very clear introduction to metaphysics. It doesn't go into many details but provides a good big picture of the topic. Handy if you are an undergraduate student and want to have a clear idea of the basic concepts in this field.