Defense of Realism: Reflections on the Metaphysics of G. E. Moore Book

English philosopher and lecturer George Edward Moore (1873-1958) is well known for his part in the development of modern philosophy. Nevertheless, throughout his entire career and even years after his death, Moore's contributions in the field of metaphysics have been virtually ignored. Some philosophers have even accused him of being a nonmetaphysician. In this unique critical study of Moore's metaphysics, E.D. Klemke examines Moore's important works, including Principia Ethica, Some Main Problems of Philosophy, Philosophical Papers, Philosophical Studies, "A Defense of Common Sense," and "The Refutation of Idealism." Klemke offers a convincing argument on behalf of philosophical realism, first by distinguishing the five different senses of realism, and then by taking Moore's fragmented analyses and reconstructing several arguments implicit in them, thus demonstrating the nature and content of Moore's metaphysical approach. Klemke closely examines Moore's conception of philosophy, relating it to his position of metaphysical realism. Klemke also evaluates Moore's refutation of certain philosophical positions, especially idealism, naive realism, phenomenalism, and pragmatism in light of Moore's metaphysics. In addition, Klemke provides a detailed appraisal of Moore's theory of analysis and its relation to common sense, his views on the reality of entities in the natural universe, and his proofs of an external world.Read More