{"product_id":"9781472575586","title":"A Critical Introduction to Properties","description":"What do blue things have in common? Or electrons? Or planets? Distinct things appear to share properties; but what are properties and what is the best philosophical account of them? \u003ci\u003eA Critical Introduction to Properties\u003c\/i\u003e introduces different ontological accounts of properties, exploring how their formulation is shaped by the explanatory demands placed upon them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis accessible introduction begins with a discussion of universals, tropes, sets and resemblance classes, the major objections to them and their responses, providing readers with a firm grasp on the competing ontological accounts of what (if anything) grounds similarity and difference. It then explores issues concerning the formulation and justification of property theories such as: how many properties are there? Should we accept a sparse ontology of properties, or an abundant one? Can we make a distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic properties? Do properties have their causal roles necessarily? What is the relationship between properties and other metaphysical phenomena such as causality, laws and modality? These questions get to the heart of why a coherent theory of properties is so important to metaphysics, and to philosophy more generally.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy concluding with the question of the ontological status of properties, the reader is introduced to some Carnapian and contemporary themes about the content and methodology of metaphysics. For students looking for an accessible resource and a more comprehensive understanding of contemporary metaphysics, \u003ci\u003eA Critical Introduction to Properties\u003c\/i\u003e is a valuable starting point.","brand":"Bloomsbury USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47176399880432,"sku":"9781472575586","price":29.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781472575586_p0.jpg?v=1763598303","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781472575586","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}