Fields of Sense
A New Realist Ontology
A new realist ontology based on the concept of fields of sense
Graham Harman interviews Markus Gabriel about Fields of Sense
It is still a widespread assumption that metaphysics and ontology deal with roughly the same questions. They are supposed to be concerned with the fundamental nature of reality and to give an account of the meaning of ‘existence’ or ‘being’ in line with the broadest possible metaphysical assumptions. Against this, Markus Gabriel proposes a radical form of ontological pluralism that divorces ontology from metaphysics, understood as the most fundamental theory of absolutely everything (the world). He argues that the concept of existence is incompatible with the existence of the world and therefore proposes his innovative no-world-view.
In the context of recent debates surrounding new realism and speculative realism, Gabriel also develops the outlines of a realist epistemological pluralism. His idea here is that there are different forms of knowledge that correspond to the plurality of fields of sense that must be acknowledged in order to avoid the trap of metaphysics.
Author’s Preface
Introduction
Part I: Negative Ontology
1. Zoontology
2. Existence is not a proper property
3. What is wrong with Kant and Frege?
4. Limits of Set-Theoretical Ontology and Contemporary Nihilism
5. Domains of Objects and Fields of Sense
6. Fields and the Meaning of Existence
7. The No World View
Part II: Positive Ontology
8. Indefinitely Many Fields of Sense
9. How Flat Can Ontology Be?
10. Actuality and Possibility
11. Modalities II: Necessity, Contingency, and Logical Time
12. Forms of Knowledge: Epistemological Pluralism, 13. Senses as Ways Things Are in Themselves
Bibliography
Index.
Markus Gabriel is one of the leaders of the revival of interest in realism in contemporary European philosophy. In this volume, he develops his own ambitious, distinctive and provocative version of the view, one that is likely to spur much discussion.
Gabriel's project of a new realist ontology effortlessly bridges the gap between continental and analytic philosophy. Altogether an enviable achievement. The work is bound to provide a strong impetus to new ways of thinking about ontological questions.
This bold meditation breaks a new path beyond both anti-realism and metaphysical realism. Gabriel discloses senses as real ways for the things to be. Thus, he overcomes the metaphysical distinction between mind and world and makes sense of the reality of thinking as well. A huge step forward for philosophy.
