A Survey of Metaphysics provides a systematic overview of modern metaphysics covering all of the most important topics likely to be encountered on a metaphysics course The conception of metaphysics underlying the book is the fairly traditional & widely-shared one that metaphysics deals with the deepest questions that can be raised concerning the fundamental structure of reality as a whole The book is divided into six main parts each relatively self-contained focusing in turn on the following major themes identity & change necessity & essence causation agency & events space & time & universals & particulars In an introductory chapter the conception of metaphysics underlying the book is explained & defended against the many & varied opponents of metaphysics those students are likely to encounter While the book makes reference when necessary to the history of metaphysics its emphasis is on contemporary views & issues The author's approach is not narrowly partisan but avoids bland neutrality in matters of controversy