Beyond Experience

By Norman Swartz

Book Overview

Shedding light on a subject that too often seems mysterious and remote, Norman Swartz puts a human face on the study of metaphysics. Far from being the exclusive handiwork of professional philosophers, Swartz argues, metaphysical theories lie just below the surface of every person's own world-view. He uses a number of case studies and an occasional appeal to science-fiction theorizing to make the subject accessible to a general audience.

Two tasks confront metaphysicians. The first is to identify our metaphysical beliefs and their effect on our behaviour and practices. The second is to assess these beliefs once they have been brought to light.

Swartz's own preference is for what he calls 'negative' theories, those that try to solve metaphysical problems without recourse to entities foreign to science. Indeed, one thesis running throughout the book is that metaphysics and science are not separable disciplines but are merely different facets of one and the same discipline.

Among the areas considered in this light are space and time, mental states and brain states, the nature of theories, pain, identity, the concepts of person and property, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. To all of them Swartz beings a uniquely refreshing perspective for professional philosopher and lay reader alike. His book is especially well suited to courses as a lively introduction the key problems in contemporary metaphysics.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802068324
• ISBN13: 9780802068323
• Release Date: December 1991
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent introduction to metaphysical theories

Norman Swartz writes in a clear, accessible style, covering such topics as the nature of identity and space and time, individuation, identity-though-time and the definition of a person. He offers various theories, points out issues, objections and advantages of each of them and allows the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. It is a pleasure to read the non-lecturing, easy-to-understand style, but this is not a lightweight book. He offers a solid grounding in diverse concepts, taking the reader step by step though the reasoning involved without convoluted logical diagrams. The indepth exploration of the nature of space and time is fascinating, and neatly answered to my satisfaction many of the questions I have had. In short, it is an excellent introduction to philosophical thought with an emphasis on metaphysics, whether for the beginning philosopher or simply an interested reader.