David S Oderberg Bücher

The book offers a robust defense of neo-Aristotelian essentialism, addressing fundamental questions about the existence and knowability of essences in objects. It challenges the skepticism fostered by empiricism and influential philosophers like Wittgenstein and Quine. By revitalizing realist metaphysics, the work argues for the reality of essence and its significance in contemporary debates, including its implications for science, the essence of life, biological species, and the concept of personhood.

Should people with deeply held objections to certain practices be allowed to opt out of involvement with them? Should a Christian baker who objects to homosexuality be allowed to deny service to a customer seeking a cake for a gay wedding? Should a Catholic nurse be able to refuse to contribute to the provision of abortions without losing her job? The law increasingly answers no to such questions. But David Oderberg argues that this is a mistake. He contends that in such cases, opting out should be understood as part of a right of dissociation – and that this right needs better legal protection than it now enjoys.