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Elements of metaphysicsA. E. Taylor

Elements of metaphysics

by OpenStories

Original author: A. E. Taylor

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"Elements of Metaphysics" by A. E. Taylor is a philosophical text written in the early 20th century. The book delves into the fundamental questions about reality and existence, examining the nature of metaphysical inquiry and its distinction from other fields of knowledge such as science, poetry, and religion. It offers a critical analysis of the principles underlying our understanding of reality versus mere appearance. The opening of the book presents Taylor's challenge to common prejudices against metaphysics, arguing for its necessity and relevance in addressing contradictions inherent in human experience. He outlines the core issues of metaphysics, such as the distinction between what is real and what merely appears to be real, and emphasizes the importance of systematic inquiry in understanding these concepts. Taylor contrasts metaphysical exploration with scientific reasoning and common skepticism, positing that true understanding requires grappling with the meanings of reality amidst our experiences and perceptions rather than dismissing these inquiries as futile.

Elements of metaphysics, by A. E. Taylor. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #71885.

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  • 43chapters
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43 Chapters

  1. 1.Preface429 words
  2. 2.Chapter I: The Problem of the Metaphysician239 words
  3. 3.Chapter II: The Metaphysical Criterion and the Metaphysical Method356 words
  4. 4.Chapter I: Reality and Experience289 words
  5. 5.Chapter II: The Systematic Unity of Reality270 words
  6. 6.Chapter III: Reality and Its Appearances—the Degrees of Reality220 words
  7. 7.Chapter IV: The World of Things—(1) Substance, Quality, and Relation250 words
  8. 8.Chapter V: The World of Things—(2) Change and Causality356 words
  9. 9.Chapter II: The Problem of Matter182 words
  10. 10.Chapter III: The Meaning of Law202 words
  11. 11.Chapter IV: Space and Time279 words
  12. 12.Chapter V: Some Conditions of Evolution164 words
  13. 13.Chapter VI: The Logical Character of Descriptive Science207 words
  14. 14.Chapter I: The Logical Character of Psychological Science172 words
  15. 15.Chapter II: The Problem of Soul and Body235 words
  16. 16.Chapter III: The Place of the “self” in Reality259 words
  17. 17.Chapter IV: The Problem of Moral Freedom212 words
  18. 18.Chapter V: Some Metaphysical Implications of Ethics and Religion271 words
  19. 19.Conclusion178 words
  20. 20.Chapter I: The Problem of the Metaphysician7,091 words
  21. 21.Chapter II10,862 words
  22. 22.Chapter III: The Sub-Divisions of Metaphysics3,190 words
  1. 23.Chapter I: Reality and Experience (1)8,894 words
  2. 24.Chapter I: Reality and Experience (2)6,326 words
  3. 25.Chapter II: The Systematic Unity of Reality8,811 words
  4. 26.Chapter III6,700 words
  5. 27.Chapter IV (1)8,814 words
  6. 28.Chapter IV (2)8,506 words
  7. 29.Chapter V (1)8,842 words
  8. 30.Chapter V (2)5,647 words
  9. 31.Chapter I: Introductory2,808 words
  10. 32.Chapter II: The Problem of Matter7,533 words
  11. 33.Chapter III: The Meaning of Law10,552 words
  12. 34.Chapter IV: Space and Time10,486 words
  13. 35.Chapter V: Some Conditions of Evolution5,842 words
  14. 36.Chapter VI6,286 words
  15. 37.Chapter I7,673 words
  16. 38.Chapter II: The Problem of Soul and Body8,555 words
  17. 39.Chapter III: The Place of the “self” in Reality11,704 words
  18. 40.Chapter IV: The Problem of Moral Freedom9,439 words
  19. 41.Chapter V (1)8,801 words
  20. 42.Chapter V (2)3,324 words
  21. 43.Conclusion4,625 words