The philosophy of modality investigates necessity and possibility, and related notions--are they objective features of mind-independent reality? If so, are they irreducible, or can modal facts be explained in other terms? This volume presents new work on modality by established leaders in the field and by up-and-coming philosophers. Between them, the papers address fundamental questions concerning realism and anti-realism about modality, the nature and basis of facts about what is possible and what is necessary, the nature of modal knowledge, modal logic and its relations to necessary existence and to counterfactual reasoning. The general introduction locates the individual contributions in the wider context of the contemporary discussion of the metaphysics and epistemology of modality.

About the Author
Bob Hale is a professor of philosophy at Sheffield University. He was a British Academy Research Reader (1997-99), and will be a Leverhulme Senior Research Fellow (2009-11). He previously taught at the universities of Glasgow, St.Andrews, and Lancaster. He works mainly on the philosophy of mathematics and philosophical logic. Aviv Hoffmann is Lecturer in Philosophy at the Open University of Israel.

Reviews
no one with a serious interest in the subject can do without this volume * John P. Burgess, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *
Modality is a fine collection that will have wide appeal. Its chief value is in the sceptical reflections on modality to which it will prompt many readers. * Arif Ahmed, Mind *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199565818
Author Bob Hale
Format Hardback
Page Count 370
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 726g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 160mm * 29mm