The Science of Being as Being - by George Couvalis (Paperback)

About the Book

Beginning from Aristotle's view that metaphysics is the science of being as being, Couvalis brings together neglected and important arguments in a comprehensive, yet concise exploration of metaphysics. Other figures covered include Heraclitus, Protagoras, Aquinas, Ockham, Leibniz, Locke, Hume, and Russell.

Book Synopsis

This book aims to focus the discussion of metaphysics by introducing it via Aristotle's view that it is the science of being as being, and delineating key types of being through the various chapters. Figures covered briefly include Aristotle, Heraclitus, Protagoras, Ockham, Leibniz, Locke, Hume, and Russell. Neglected and important arguments by figures like Aquinas and Ockham are brought to light. Each chapter is divided into short and easily readable sections including an introduction which raises a problem, an account of key views, criticisms of those views, and a brief conclusion. There are also recommended further readings at the end of each chapter which would be useful to anyone teaching a topic in the area.

Review Quotes

George Couvalis' The Science of Being as Being makes a brave contribution to the current debate by getting the reader in touch with the philosophical tradition. As a result, they get an understanding of metaphysics as a unified endeavor plagued with engaging risks and difficulties--the risks of being trapped in the old ways but also in the present ones, the virtues of some abstract arguments but also their shortcomings, and the advantages of analogies but also how misleading they can be.

Couvalis' metaphysical scalpel puts under the microscope philosophical issues such as the nature of being, the laws of logic, the theory of universals, and the existence of God. Aristotle emerges as a very modern philosopher. This is a rich, lucidly written book and a compelling demonstration of how exciting philosophy can be.

George Couvalis ably demonstrates the importance of philosophical scholarship when dealing with major issues such as being, particulars versus universals, and other major lines of inquiry. It goes beyond traditional analysis in its clear and sharp focus, which would benefit scholars in applied fields.

About the Author

George Couvalis is an independent researcher and former lecturer at Flinders University. He has published Feyerabend's Critique of Foundationalism and The Philosophy of Science: Science and Objectivity, as well as co-edited ten books, mainly on Greek studies and Greek philosophy.