Critical Introduction to the Metaphysics of Modality

A Critical Introduction to the Metaphysics of Modality examines the eight main contemporary theories of possibility behind a central metaphysical topic. Covering modal skepticism, modal expressivism, modalism, modal realism, ersatzism, modal fictionalism, modal agnosticism, and the new modal actualism, this comprehensive introduction to modality places contemporary debates in an historical context.Beginning with a historical overview, Andrea Borghini discusses Parmenides and Zeno; looks at how central Medieval authors such as Aquinas, and Buridan prepared the ground for the Early Modern radical views of Leibniz, Spinoza, and Hume and discusses advancements in semantics in the later-half of the twentieth century a resulted in the rise of modal metaphysics, the branch characterizing the past few decades of philosophical reflection. Framing the debate according to three main perspectives - logical, epistemic, metaphysical- Borghini provides the basic concepts and terms required to discuss modality. With suggestions of further reading and end-of-chapter study questions, A Critical Introduction to the Metaphysics of Modality is an up-to-date resource for students working in contemporary metaphysics seeking a better understanding of this crucial topic.

Borghini’s book is a stellar introduction ... It will be accessible to upper-level undergraduates, yet it is the most up-to-date guidebook around, making it worthwhile for specialists as well., Borghini’s introductory textbook is a useful and thorough reading for anyone interested in the current analytic-philosophical theories of and approaches to modality ... [An] up-to-date and comprehensive survey., The concept of possible world - arguably the single most useful notion of contemporary philosophy - triggers a number of epistemological, semantic, and above all metaphysical questions. This book introduces to, and discusses, all the main contemporary answers to such questions. It provides a clear survey of mainstream and widely discussed views such as ersatzism and Lewisian modal realism. But it also guides us through the most recent approaches, such as modal fictionalism, agnosticism, and new actualism. This makes of it the most up-to-date introduction to the philosophy and metaphysics of modality on the market. Highly recommended.

Andrea Borghini is Associate Professor in Philosophy at the College of the Holy Cross, USA.