Knowledge and Reality Essays in Honor of Alvin Plantinga

The thirteen essays in this anthology cover mainly metaphysics and epistemology. The reader should not expect introductions to any of these areas of research. All essays presuppose to know very well the current philosophical discussion. I for myself appreciated the most Peter van Inwagen: "Properties"; William P. Alston: "Epistemology and Metaphysics" and Jonathan Kvanvig: "Scientific Naturalism and the Value of Knowledge". Van Inwagen gives new insights in the longtime discussion about platonism and nominalism. Alston emphasizes that the fundamental epistemological principles already assume certain metaphysical principles. And Kvanvig shows how a naturalist point of view can nevertheless account for the value of knowledge. All these essays will be read and discussed long after Plantinga's upcoming - hopefully many birthdays. To everyone, who is interested in metaphysics or epistemology on an academic level "Knowledge and Reality" is highly recommended.