Riddles of Existence: A Guided Tour of Metaphysics

by Earl Conee, Theodore Sider (Contributor)

Now in its second edition, Riddles of Existence is the first book to make metaphysics genuinely accessible and fun. Its lively, informal style brings metaphysical questions to life and shows how stimulating it can be to think about them.

Earl Conee and Theodore Sider offer a lucid discussion of the major topics in metaphysics. What makes me the same person I was as a child? Is everything fated to be exactly as it is? Does time flow? How fast does it flow, and can one travel back in time, against the current? Does God exist? Why is there anything at all rather than nothing? If our actions are caused by things science can predict and control, how can we have free will? The authors approach these topics in an open-minded and non-dogmatic manner, giving students a full sense of the issues involved.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Metaphysics, Reference

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jana Light · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conee and Sider provide a solid overview of the main topics of metaphysics: personal identity, fatalism, time, God, the question of why is there something rather than nothing, free will and determinism, constitution, universals, and possibility and necessity. This is my second read, and I found the essays more helpful than I did previously. (Maybe I've gotten too far away from dedicated philosophical work.)

This book will not answer any of your questions about these large issues about our existence. It has a hard time even explaining what metaphysics is. Conee and Sider simply do what metaphysics does: articulate the conceptual oddities, frustrations, and complexitiess of existence. Depending on mileage, the lack of conclusive answers will either frustrate or delight readers. I thoroughly enjoyed it because it highlights just how strange existence and reality can be, and gives a good overview of the tools and language we have for trying (and failing) to pin them down into a satisfying system.

[Joao Baptista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este livro funciona como uma introdução relativamente acessível à Metafísica, tal como é estudada contemporaneamente na tradição filosófica analítica.
Depois da machadada que Kant desferiu à Metafísica enquanto disciplina passível de investigação conducente à obtenção de conhecimento real, pensou-se que estava definitivamente caída em descrédito, que fosse apenas o «palco de disputas infindáveis» que conduzia a razão humana a cair em «obscuridades e contradições». Porém, essa morte anunciada revelou-se infundada e a Metafísica acabou por ser reabilitada pela filosofia analítica pós-positivismo lógico que, de forma algo paradoxal, a aproximou da ciência, ou seja, daquilo mesmo pela qual havia caído. O preço, todavia, parece ter sido o vingar de uma perspectiva acentuadamente anti-realista que, no fundo, acaba por conduzir a conclusões metafísicas bem menos ambiciosas do que no passado.
Dentro dessa tradição, o livro trata de vários tópicos metafísicos – se temos realmente livre-arbítrio, se o tempo é real, se existe um primeiro princípio (Deus), o problema dos universais, o problema da constituição dos objectos naturais, problemas de identidade ao longo do tempo, necessidade versus possibilidade, etc. – divididos por capítulos que podem ser lidos autonomamente e são escritos alternadamente por cada co-autor. A exposição é bastante clara (em alguns casos coloquial até em excesso ou com exemplos algo desconcertantes, quase caricatos), despida de grande parte de jargão técnico – quando é usado normalmente é esclarecido em nota de rodapé – e assenta num estilo argumentativo. Nenhuma ou praticamente nenhuma vertente histórica é abordada. Os textos não têm todos o mesmo grau de complexidade. Há temas que me parecem ser abordados de forma excessivamente simplificada, outros em que a discussão se torna mais complexa e que exigem mais do leitor, especialmente se não tiver tido contacto prévio com a matéria. Todos os capítulos terminam com uma bibliografia básica e sugestões de leitura complementar para quem quiser aprofundar os tópicos.
Em suma, uma boa introdução em português, que alcança um equilíbrio razoável entre a divulgação para um público leigo mas interessado, e alguém que já tenha algumas luzes sobre o assunto e procure uma síntese bem feita.

[Nathan Ormond · Rating 4 out of 5]

An overview of all the main topics of metaphysics. Manages to go through these topics in an informal narrative style rather than being like an academic textbook. I would recommend this book as an introduction to the key topics of metaphysics to anyone interested.

[Corvated · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of metaphysics

[Cameron Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a decent overview of different subjects within metaphysics along with examples to help you understand and the digest the topic in a much easier way. However for an overview of metaphysical topics you can clearly see the authors bias' towards concepts they favour. I.e the complete disregard for God etc. Read with caution.

[Gentian Gashi]

Sometimes I read things that aren't that interesting

[Steve Cann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever wondered why there is something, instead of nothing? Or why humans supposedly have free will? Or what part of you is actually 'you'? Or could god really exist?
All these classic metaphysical questions (& a great deal more besides) are tackled in 10 bite-sized portions in this handy volume, co-written by Philosophy Professors Earl Conee & Theodore Sider, each writing alternating chapters.

As with this subject matter, there is the necessary depth to the subject-matter here that philosophical writing requires, ultimately distilling everything down to the most explanatorily basic necessities & possibilities. Having said that, there is a light tone throughout, & this book is excellent for students or anyone wishing to have a potted-introduction to metaphysics.

Maybe not a book to take to the beach, but well worth a read, & it will certainly get you thinking in a new way about life's most profound & deep questions!

[Alexandra Mihaylova · Rating 1 out of 5]

terrible and frustrating book. had to read it for one of my classes and its extremely informal, claims to have definitive answers on extremely complex issues, and simplifies things to a point of absurdity. Presents unsound and confused arguments as if they're an accurate representation real metaphysical arguments/points of view.

[Sara Sheikhi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Messy, not always well-constructed and unfocused book. I don't think this book is a good introduction to the subject of metaphysics. The examples are supposed to give relevance to the big questions but they very often get out of hand and too far away from the technical argumentation.

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think this was good? maybe i don't have the brains for it, but as an intro book, found it pretty interesting.

[Jeffrey Rubard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Introduction to Metaphysics

And, as men think, that agues physic are,
And th' ague being spent, give over care,
So thou, sick world, mistak'st thy self to be
Well, when alas, thou'rt in a lethargy.

John Donne, "An Anatomy of the World"

For some time now the word 'metaphysics' has been on the lips of every student of philosophy; seemingly every philosophical topic has its own 'metaphysics of...', and there is just plain old metaphysics too. The question instantly raised by this craze is: "What is 'metaphysics'?" In Riddles of Existence Ted Sider—one of the leading figures at the 'cutting edge' of metaphysics—and Earl Conee attempt to answer this question in slightly over two hundred and fifty pages for an audience of intelligent laypersons. The result is quite a book.

The term metaphysics derives from a treatise by Aristotle, known by that name because it was 'shelved' after the Physics in an edition of Aristotle's work. The phrase is well-turned enough, for most modern metaphysicians understand the topic as 'meta-physics': the kind of reasoning that needs to go on to explain and undergird the results of the natural sciences. Over the centuries philosophers have turned their attention to the "being qua being" of every aspect of human life and how we think about it; in twelve readable chapters (two have been added for this "New Edition") Conee and Sider offer introductory but sophisticated accounts of how the recent "metaphysical revolution" in analytic philosophy has handled these debates.

Learning how David Lewis or David Armstrong approached the 'problem of universals' would not be all that easy to do if older texts were all you had to go on, and the comprehensive scope of this book (well within the ken of any college graduate or student) means it almost amounts to a 'one-volume philosophy degree'. Conee and Sider do not act as 'partisans' of any particular metaphysical standpoint, even the ones they are well-known for espousing themselves; Riddles of Existence places you in a comfortable location of philosophical equanimity. (If I have to do any 'editorializing', the authors perhaps lack total awareness of the extent to which metaphysical theses can be thought of as a sort of integumental reason, arising from situations where we're not quite sure why we think something but we sure do think it; or, what amounts to another way of saying it, the slogan "Metaphysics is an occasion, not a science".)

Well worth a purchase or a check-out.

[Andrew Thomson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an introduction to and a tour of some of the most common metaphysical debates and questions of our time. As such each chapter focuses on and explains the issues and questions regarding individual debates. As a whole I feel it is a bit harsh to give this book three stars, but alas as an overview of the book in its entirety, it is appropriate.

Some of the chapters such as those on constitution, time, and free will were fascinating and clearly constructed for someones first metaphysical introduction to the topic. They were easy to follow, engaging, and seemed to anticipate any questions that might have occurred to you, the reader. However I found other chapters specifically the one on determinism to be quite difficult to follow, confusing and seemingly contradictory. It is possible that this stems from some basic misunderstanding on my part of the topic, or simply that the chapters topic was not to my interest.

Regardless, I would recommend this book to someone interested in learning the basics of metaphysics, but with the caveat that I would pick and choose which chapters intrigue me and I would not read it cover to cover unless all of the chapters truly pique your interest.

[Mariah · Rating 2 out of 5]

My friend and I took a class together; regrettably we were required to read this book. Maybe that's a blessing since we bonded over our hatred the way two children bond over their hatred for the lunch lady. On the other hand, it's unfortunate that the great experience of talking my friend into taking a philosophy course was tainted by the train-wreck that is Riddles of Existence. Being that he is a mathematician, coming upon the statistical mishandlings in this book drove him to near insanity. I have it on good authority that Conee's poor argumentation caused him to toss the book halfway across the room in a fit of rage. I'm a tad concerned that I ruined my friend's semester, but am slightly more concerned he may appear in Conee's living room wearing nothing but a bathrobe, shouting obscenities.
As for me, I am no statistician. But the straw-man argument about the number of trees in North America is one of the most hilariously bad things I've had the privilege of reading in a published text. Sider may be more bearable than his counterpart, but no one seeking a solid introduction to metaphysics should bother with this lamentable book. There are better texts elsewhere. Save yourself the suffering I incurred on my poor friend.

[Mike Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was reading this one, thoroughly engaged despite some vagueness and some awkward syllogisms in the early chapters, and then it hit me. I was having a pleasurable reading of A TEXT BOOK. So this is a textbook, an INTRODUCTION TO METAPHYSICS broken down by topics. What's thoroughly amazing is how so clumsily systematic it seems, that all of these big topics are broken-down into a few interesting examples. Points are given, definitions, terms, and counter-points. The authors seem to not advocate for any particular position, save for a generalized moderation, such as in the instance of free will versus determinism or on the existence of Universal characteristics.

[Brother Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the format of the book. Different chapters on various topics and the authors presenting the different arguments for different views and common objections (even their own objections) to them.

I was not satisfied, however, with many of the objections to supernatural/spirital arguments. Arguments about the soul as being the source of personal identity in Chapter One or the existence of God as a coherent solution to problems of "Why Nothing" in Chapter 6 were unsatisfactory. They were dismissed and not thought out well at all, and for that reason, I began to lose interest in the book. It started to sound like two materialists trying to do metaphysics which is impossible.

[T.L.M.E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mandatory reading for my university course in metaphysics - read more or less the complete book during a weekend before exam. Conee guides the reader in on heavy philosophy arguments about God, about time, about free will, and many other subjects. The text is not academic advanced, and the ideas are easy to understand. Allthough sometimes arguments almost become circular and sometime focus on the chosen english word and forgets for a moment the actual topic dicussed.

[Jordon Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good introduction, definitely because it is so accessible. However, for an introductory text, there is either an unfair assessment of some theories or a biased towards the authors' preference. Most notably in the chapters on Personal Identity, Time, Constitution and P&N.

Brilliantly written though, and it is how i feel most textbooks, or introductions should be written.

[David Lai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some major topics in philosophy introduced in a friendly, chatty way. Clear style, mostly lucid exposition. Not as quick a read as I expected -- some tricky reasoning involved in a few of the chapters, particularly the one about the ontological argument for the existence of God, and the one about universals. Maybe I'm just not up to reading philosophy any more!

[Max Minkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work gives a good insight into the main questions raised by metaphysics, but the authors’ bias is strongly felt throughout the book, which leads to a rather shallow analysis of certain arguments.

[Aman]

A basic introduction to metaphysics from the perspective of analytic philosophy. The emphasis on clarity is apparent to the point that it gets unnecessarily confusing (e.g. the chapter on Universals).

[Abhiraj · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
A good intro covering all the major areas, though a bit too basic. I wish the authors had gone into a bit more detail because metaphysics is hella complex. But maybe that wasn't their intention with this book.

[Cassandra Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Recommended only for people who want to read circular arguments about God and sentences like "if the topic of our investigation into metaphysical topics really is a metaphysical topic, why is that?"

As it turns out, I'm not sure I care

[Joey Aleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent introduction to metaphysics overall, but at some points misrepresents certain views.

[Millie W]

Okay.:nice self contained chapters, sometimes I struggled to follow the explanation but that could easily be because the concepts are so hairy, not the explainer.

[Birdie]

One of the clearest and most accessible philosophy books I've had to read for class so far. Although chapter 8 messed with my head a bit and I had to trudge through it lol.

[Filos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun introduction.

[Dimitris Met · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pleasant and easy to read. I especially liked the chapter on Time.

[Mariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

great introductory text
very easy to read
real pleasure

[Alice Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best, but an ok introduction to the student of metaphysics

[Aidan · Rating 3 out of 5]

b