Indifference arguments

Bibliographic Information

Indifference arguments

Stephen Makin

(Issues in ancient philosophy, 2)

Blackwell, 1993

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [233]-238) and indexes

Description and Table of Contents

Description

In this book Stephen Makin offers a striking new account of some intriguing but neglected arguments - indifference arguments - and of the presocratic atomism underpinned by indifference reasoning. Used by Parmenides, Democritus, Plato, Aristotle and Leibniz as well as some contemporary philosophers, indifference arguments start from claims about a balance of reasons or an absence of asymmetries. While some provide plausible support for surprisingly strong conclusions, others produce no conviction. Here, Makin offers an account of indifference arguments and provides answers to such philosophical questions as 'What makes a good piece of indifference reasoning?', 'How do the arguments work?', 'Do they involve claims about metaphysical commitments?' The account that is presented of the Democritean atomic theory strongly emphasizes the continuity of atomism with earlier thought. A number of Zeno's arguments are considered, and there is some discussion of other Eleatics. Indifference arguments in other ancient philosophers, such as Anaximander and Aristotle, also receive attention. The book will be of interest to all those concerned with ancient philosophy and philosophical logic.

Table of Contents

Ch.1 Introduction Ch.2 The Eleatics Ch.3 The Atomists Ch.4 Some Other Indifference Arguments Ch.5 The Form of Indifference Arguments Ch.6 Epistemological Indifference Arguments Ch.7 Indifference Arguments Without Epistemology.

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Details

  • NCID
    BA22332788
  • ISBN
    • 0631178384
  • LCCN
    93009799
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    Oxford, UK ; Cambridge, USA
  • Pages/Volumes
    x, 246 p.
  • Size
    24 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
  • Parent Bibliography ID
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