D.M. Armstrong

The aim of this series is to inform both professional philosophers and a larger readership (of social and natural scientists, methodologists, mathe­ maticians, students, teachers, publishers, etc.) about what is going on, who's who, and who does what in contemporary philosophy and logic. PROFILES is designed to present the research activity and the results of already out­ standing personalities and schools and of newly emerging ones in the various fields of pillJosophy and logic. There are many Festschrift volumes dedicated to various philosophers. There is the celebrated Library of Living Philosophers edited by P. A. Schilpp whose format influenced the present enterprise. Still they can only cover very little of the contemporary philosophical scene. Faced with a tremendous expansion of philosophical information and with an almost frightening division of labor and increasing specialization we need systematic and regular ways of keeping track of what happens in the profes­ sion. PROFILES is intended to perform such a function. Each volume is devoted to one or several philosophers whose views and results are presented and discussed. The profiled philosopher(s) will sum­ marize and review his (their) own work in the main fields of Significant con­ tribution. This work will be discussed and evaluated by invited contributors. Relevant historical and/or biographical data, an up-to-date bibliography with short abstracts of the most important works and, whenever possible, re­ ferences to significant reviews and discussions will also be included.

`This volume is of very great philosophical interest, and can be highly recommended.' Australian Journal of Philosophy, 64:1 (March 1986)