Doing Metaphysics in a Diverse World
How We Make Sense of Things Across Cultures
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:1st May '25
Should be back in stock very soon
The first inclusive introduction to metaphysical themes, texts and thinkers from different traditions across philosophy.
In a world increasingly interconnected and fractious, cross-cultural dialogue about metaphysics matters more than ever. This essential resource introduces us to the multitude of ways philosophers make sense of things.
Drawing on China, Japan, the Indic world, Islamic and European thought as well as pre-colonial African and pre-Spanish Meso-American traditions, a team of leading philosophers and historians of ideas bring case studies, texts, themes and thinkers of very different thought worlds into conversation, including such topics as:
Spinoza and Wang Bi on substance and change
Kukai and Gregory Palamas on essence and energy
Phenomenological echoes in the metaphysics of a Tantric system
Sufi and Mayan reflection on the human role in constructing the cosmos
Senghor and African art as expression of an original philosophy.
On the basis of this exceptionally rich and diverse canvas, they reflect on questions of enduring human significance: What is suchness? What do we mean by being, becoming and beyond? What is personhood? How do we name and order our world? How should we live? Crossing cultures, languages and history, the authors’ inclusive approach liberates metaphysics and comparative philosophy from the constraints of traditional Western interpretation.
The erudite, open-minded and thoughtful essays in this volume are a compelling read. They make the case for metaphysics as a way that people make sense of the world, and dialogue within and across different philosophical traditions as the best way to pursue that project. * Melissa Lane, Professor of Politics, Princeton University, USA *
The collaborative product of discussions among philosophers and historians of ideas over several years, this volume is a rich treasury of comparative philosophy that amply testifies both to human beings’ shared ambitions to understand their world and themselves and to a striking diversity among their attempts to realise these ambitions. * David Cooper, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Durham University, UK *
Doing Metaphysics in a Diverse World offers a wonderful cacophony of voices from different philosophical traditions. It draws on voices across time and place to help us make sense of our world now. Yet, it thoughtfully resists unifying them, instead embracing the complexities that make us human. * Karyn Lai, Professor of Philosophy, The University of New South Wales, Australia *
ISBN: 9781350402492
Dimensions: 244mm x 168mm x 24mm
Weight: 740g
424 pages