World without Design The Ontological Consequences of Naturalism [Hardcover]

Philosophical naturalism, according to which philosophy is continuous with the natural sciences, has dominated the Western academy for well over a century, but Michael Rea claims that it is without rational foundation. Rea argues compellingly to the surprising conclusion that naturalists are committed to rejecting realism about material objects, materialism, and perhaps realism about other minds.

1. Introduction
1 Naturalism
2. Pillars of the Tradition
3. Naturalism Characterized
2 Ontology
4. The Discovery Problem
5. Proper Function
6. Pragmatic Arguments
7. What Price Anti-Realism?
3 Alternatives
8. Intuitionism
9. Supernaturalism
References, Index

succinct and penetrating... Thoroughly researched and richly argued,World Without Designwill prove valuable to anyone interested in the naturalistic tradition. --Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

Michael C. Rea is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame.