Dividing Reality

By: Eli Hirsch

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Hardcover | 29 April 1993

At a Glance

Hardcover
264 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
22.86 x 15.24 x 1.91

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The central question in this book is why it seems reasonable for the words of our language to divide up the world in one way rather than another, or what the rational basis is for our language to contain certain kinds of general words rather than others. Terming this query the division problem, Dividing Reality aims to bring it into sharp focus, to distinguish it from various related problems, and to consider the best prospects for solving it.
In exploring various possible responses to the division problem, Eli Hirsch examines a series of "division principles" which purport to express rational constraints on how our words ought to classify and individuate. The ensuing discussion deals with a wide range of metaphysical and epistemological topics, including projectibility and similarity, alternative analyses of natural properties and things, the inscrutability of reference, and the relevance of such pragmatic notions as salience and economy.
The final chapters of the book develop what Hirsch contends is the most promising response to the division problem: a theory in which constraints on classification and individuation are seen to derive from the necessary structure of "fine-grained" propositions and the necessary dependence of some concepts on others.
Formulating in clear terms a fundamental problem which has not been properly isolated or seriously addressed previously, this book is of key interest to metaphysicians, philosophers of language, and cognitive psychologists.

Industry Reviews

`Like any good philosophical work, Dividing Reality is filled with detailed and uniformly interesting argumentation. Those arguments, in turn, constitute an important addition to thinking about the problem. Hirsch's work will will serve as a major basis for subsequent discussion in the area.' The Review of Metaphysics `In Dividing Reality Eli Hirsch continues the work he does so well....important and challenging, and covers much...territory....Hirsch leads us through the heart of metaphysics...he leaves his special mark on all the topics he touches. He has an eye for interesting questions and his pursuit of them draws in even those initially skeptical of the problems. I would love to sing more praises, but space forbids; let me just say that I'd put it on the Metaphysician's Must Read list, and enthusiastically recommend it to others.' Philosophy and Phenomenological Research

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Language & Linguistics Linguistics Philosophy of Language Philosophy Philosophy & Logic History of Western Philosophy Metaphysics & Ontology Politics & Government Political Parties Epistemology & The Theory of Knowledge

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Paperback

Published: 1st January 1997

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Preface	p. vii
The Division Problem	p. 3
Projectibility and Strange Languages	p. 31
Reality's Joints I: Properties	p. 52
Reality's Joints Ii: Things	p. 88
The Pragmatic Response	p. 114
The Order of Understanding	p. 143
Ontology and the Division Problem	p. 174
Projectible Terms	p. 202
Similarity and Natural Properties	p. 209
the Fine-Grained Doctrine	p. 223
References	p. 236
Index	p. 241
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Dividing Reality

At a Glance

Hardcover

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

Other Editions and Formats

Paperback

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