An Introduction to Ontology

by Nikk Effingham

In this engaging and wide-ranging new book, Nikk Effingham provides an introduction to contemporary ontology – the study of what exists – and its importance for philosophy today. He covers the key topics in the field, from the ontology of holes, numbers and possible worlds, to space, time and the ontology of material objects - for instance, whether there are composite objects such as tables, chairs or even you and me. While starting from the basics, every chapter is up-to-date with the most recent developments in the field, introducing both longstanding theories and cutting-edge advances. As well as discussing the latest issues in ontology, Effingham also helpfully deals in-depth with different methodological principles (including theory choice, Quinean ontological commitment and Meinongianism) and introduces them alongside an example ontological theory that puts them into practice. This accessible and comprehensive introduction will be essential reading for upper-level undergraduate and post-graduate students, as well as any reader interested in the present state of the subject.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Metaphysics

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2013

Reviews

[Michael’ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Effingham makes most, if not all, of the easily avoidable mistakes of textbook writing. He “explains” very simple stuff in painful detail. For example, the definition of ontology. He spends more than half a page listing people who think about things that might or might not exit but are not ontologists. Like Ufologists.
I wanted to write something about the actual philosophical content but can’t bring myself that far.
A very shoddy introduction to a small part of contemporary analytic philosophy. Way too expensive. Stay away from this.

[René Karamazov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado bastante como introducción a esta área de la metafísica. Los primeros capítulos busca justificar el proyecto de la ontología y explicar muchas de las herramientas que se usan en esta, sin embargo, no lo hace meramente conceptual, sino que los aplica a la ontología de «hoyos», así logrando que el lector entienda mejor esas herramientas. Asimismo, en cada capítulo, además de tratar la existencia y naturaleza del ente en cuestión, introduce distintas teorías meta-ontológicas y las aplica también. Esto permite que aprendes tanto del debate ontológico como también el meta-ontológico. Además, también introduce la lógica de primer orden y la aplica en distintos capítulos, preparando así al lector para pasar a literatura más compleja y con un uso más amplio de la lógica formal.

[Sara Sheikhi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many words, too little substance packed in them. It seems like his way of writing is a contradiction of the metodology of ontology...

[Jake Leech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tough book to read for a couple of reasons. First, it seems like ontology is a fairly large field, which means that an introductory text like this is forced to cover a broad array of topics in a shallow way. Second, and somewhat related, is that it seems like the more "important" topics and theories in ontology haven't floated to the top yet (unlike, say, an intro Greek philosophy class where you know you're gonna be talking a lot about Socrates), and as Effingham points out, there isn't even really an established method for even comparing theories in ontology.

A couple of reviewers have also pointed out that Effingham can get a little tedious with his cutesy examples, and I can see that.

But despite all of this, there's still lots of food for thought here. I enjoyed it and feel like I learned a lot.

[Sonstepaul · Rating 2 out of 5]

A university textbook that’s only an introduction to someone who doesn’t mind not knowing what’s going on half the time. Rather than spend time on an introduction to a lesser-known discipline, Effingham dives straight in to formulae and reductions that laypeople will not see any point in. More front matter on the purpose of ontology is needed.

[Josh Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

What exists? What doesn't? Are holes a thing or not? What about songs? This book attempts to explain the competing ontological theories that address such questions, and while Effingham does his best to answer why such questions matters--and to refute the notion that all such debates are much more than matters of linguistics--I'm not sure I'm convinced.

[Usfromdk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Crap. Not worth your time.