Skip to main content
  • Book
  • © 2012

Structural Realism

Structure, Object, and Causality

  • Features contributions from the foremost authorities on structural realism
  • Tackles the difficult problem of defining causation, modality, and laws in structural realism
  • Includes the latest research on the integration of mathematical structuralism and structural realism

Part of the book series: The Western Ontario Series in Philosophy of Science (WONS, volume 77)

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvi
  2. Frameworks for Structural Realism

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
  3. Frameworks For Structural Realism

    1. Methodological Structural Realism

      • Elaine M. Landry
      Pages 29-57
    2. How Not to Be a Realist

      • Ioannis Votsis
      Pages 59-76
    3. Miracles and Structural Realism

      • John Worrall
      Pages 77-95
  4. Structural Realism and the Nature of Objects and Relations

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 97-97
  5. Structural Realism And The Nature Of Objects And Relations

    1. Underdetermination as a Path to Structural Realism

      • Katherine Brading, Alexander Skiles
      Pages 99-115
    2. Kinds of Objects and Varieties of Properties

      • Antigone M. Nounou
      Pages 117-133
    3. Time, Observables, and Structure

      • Dean P. Rickles
      Pages 135-145
  6. Modality and Causality in Structural Realism

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 147-147
  7. Modality And Causality In Structural Realism

    1. Ontic Structural Realism and Modality

      • Nora Berenstain, James Ladyman
      Pages 149-168
  8. Back Matter

    Pages 207-209

About this book

Structural realism has rapidly gained in popularity in recent years, but it has splintered into many distinct denominations, often underpinned by diverse motivations. There is, no monolithic position known as ‘structural realism,’ but there is a general convergence on the idea that a central role is to be played by relational aspects over object-based aspects of ontology. What becomes of causality in a world without fundamental objects? In this book, the foremost authorities on structural realism attempt to answer this and related questions: ‘what is structure?’ and ‘what is an object?’ Also featured are the most recent advances in structural realism, including the intersection of mathematical structuralism and structural realism, and the latest treatments of laws and modality in the context of structural realism. The book will be of interest to philosophers of science, philosophers of physics, metaphysicians, and those interested in foundational aspects of science.

Editors and Affiliations

  • University of California, Davis, USA

    Elaine Landry

  • Unit for History & Philosophy of, Science, University of Sidney, Sydney, Australia

    Dean Rickles

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access