Metaphysics is one of the traditional four main branches of philosophy alongside ethics logic & epistemology It is also an area that continues to attract & hold a fascination for many people yet it is associated with being complex & abstract For some it is associated with the mystical or religious For others it is known through the metaphysical poets who talk of love & spirituality This Very Short Introduction goes right to the heart of the matter getting to the basic & most important questions of metaphysical thought in order to understand the theory What are objects? Do colours & shapes have some form of existence? What is it for one thing to cause another rather than just being associated with it? What is possible? Does time pass? By using these questions to initiate thought about the basic issues around substance properties changes causes possibilities time personal identity nothingness & emergentism Stephen Mumford provides a clear & simple path through this analytical tradition at the core of philosophical thought ABOUT THE SERIES The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas & enthusiasm to make interesting & challenging topics highly readable