Table Of Content“Grounding is one of the central topics in contemporary metaphysics. This collection represents
the cutting edge of work in this fast-developing area, and is a must have both for veterans of
debates about grounding and philosophers wanting to explore how thinking about grounding
interacts with their favourite philosophical problems.”
—Daniel Nolan, University of Notre Dame
THE ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF
METAPHYSICAL GROUNDING
Some of philosophy’s biggest questions, both historically and today, are in-virtue-of questions: In
virtue of what is an action right or wrong? In virtue of what am I the same person my mother bore? In virtue
of what is an artwork beautiful? Philosophers attempt to answer many of these types of in-virtue-of
questions, but philosophers are also increasingly focusing on what an in-virtue-of question is in
the first place. Many assume, at least as a working hypothesis, that in-virtue-of questions involve
a distinctively metaphysical kind of determinative explanation called “ground.” This Handbook
surveys the state of the art on ground as well as its connections and applications to other topics.
The central issues of ground are discussed in 37 chapters, all written exclusively for this volume
by a wide range of leading experts. The chapters are organized into the following sections:
I. History
II. Explanation and Determination
III. Logic and Structure
IV. Connections
V. Applications
Introductions at the start of each section provide an overview of the section’s contents, and a list
of Related Topics at the end of each chapter points readers to other germane areas throughout
the volume. The resulting volume is accessible enough for advanced students and informative
enough for researchers. It is essential reading for anyone hoping to get clearer on what the
biggest questions of philosophy are really asking.
Michael J. Raven is Associate Professor of philosophy at the University of Victoria and
Affiliate Associate Professor of philosophy at the University of Washington, Co-Chief Editor of
Metaphysics, and a founding member of the Canadian Metaphysics Collaborative. His research
focuses on metaphysics, philosophy of language and mind, and epistemology.
ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOKS IN PHILOSOPHY
Routledge Handbooks in Philosophy are state-of-the-art surveys of emerging, newly refreshed, and
important fields in philosophy, providing accessible yet thorough assessments of key problems,
themes, thinkers, and recent developments in research.
All chapters for each volume are specially commissioned and written by leading scholars in
the field. Carefully edited and organized, Routledge Handbooks in Philosophy provide indispensa
ble reference tools for students and researchers seeking a comprehensive overview of new and
exciting topics in philosophy. They are also valuable teaching resources as accompaniments to
textbooks, anthologies, and research-oriented publications.
Also available:
THE ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF PHILOSOPHY OF THE CITY
Edited by Sharon M. Meagher, Samantha Noll, and Joseph S. Biehl
THE ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF PANPSYCHISM
Edited by William Seager
THE ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF PHILOSOPHY OF RELATIVISM
Edited by Martin Kusch
THE ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF PHILOSOPHY OF COLOUR
Edited by Derek H. Brown and Fiona Macpherson
THE ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF METAPHYSICAL GROUNDING
Edited by Michael J. Raven
THE ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
Edited by Saba Bazargan-Forward and Deborah Tollefsen
For more information about this series, please visit: www.routledge.com/Routledge-Handbooks-
in-Philosophy/book-series/RHP
THE ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK
OF METAPHYSICAL
GROUNDING
Edited by Michael J. Raven
First published 2020
by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2020 Taylor & Francis
The right of Michael J. Raven to be identified as the author of the editorial
material, and of the authors for their individual chapters, has been asserted
in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record for this book has been requested
ISBN: 978-0-8153-6649-2 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-351-25884-5 (ebk)
Typeset in Bembo
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
Justin Zylstra (1987–2019), author of the chapter “Essence”, died shortly after
this volume was delivered to the publisher. Justin was a promising and prolific young
philosopher with a bright future. Many of the other authors had the good fortune
to know him and his work. The imprint left by Justin’s insights and his thoughtful,
gently tenacious commitment to philosophy will continue influencing us, even
while his presence is sorely missed. This volume is dedicated with admiration
and affection to Justin.
CONTENTS
Notes on Contributors xiii
Acknowledgments xvii
Introduction 1
Michael J. Raven
PART I
History 15
Introduction 17
Michael J. Raven
1 Ancient 20
Phil Corkum
2 Aristotelian Demonstration 33
Marko Malink
3 Medieval and Early Modern 49
Margaret Cameron
4 Principle of Sufficient Reason 63
Fatema Amijee
5 Bolzano 76
Stefan Roski
ix
