Philosophical Perspectives on Infinity

Graham Oppy examines how the infinite lurks everywhere.

Graham Oppy (Author)

9780521108096, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 January 2009

336 pages, 1 table
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.49 kg

'Philosophical Perspectives on Infinity is a very good book and I am pleased to recommend it.' The Times Literary Supplement

This book is an exploration of philosophical questions about infinity. Graham Oppy examines how the infinite lurks everywhere, both in science and in our ordinary thoughts about the world. He also analyses the many puzzles and paradoxes that follow in the train of the infinite. Even simple notions, such as counting, adding and maximising present serious difficulties. Other topics examined include the nature of space and time, infinities in physical science, infinities in theories of probability and decision, the nature of part/whole relations, mathematical theories of the infinite, and infinite regression and principles of sufficient reason.

Introduction
1. Beginnings and puzzles
2. Mathematical preliminaries
3. Some cases discussed
4. Space, time, and spacetime
5. Physical infinities
6. Probability and decision theory
7. Mereology
8. Philosophical theories
9. Infinite regress and sufficient reason.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH], Number theory [PBH], Philosophy of religion [HRAB], Analytical philosophy & Logical Positivism [HPCF5]