Our systems are now restored following recent technical disruption, and we’re working hard to catch up on publishing. We apologise for the inconvenience caused. Find out more

Recommended product

Popular links

Popular links


The Metaphysics of Color

The Metaphysics of Color

The Metaphysics of Color

Authors:
Michael Watkins, Auburn University
Elay Shech, Auburn University
Published:
April 2025
Availability:
This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
Format:
Adobe eBook Reader
ISBN:
9781009324229

Looking for an inspection copy?

This title is not currently available for inspection.

    This Element offers an opinionated and selective introduction to philosophical issues concerning the metaphysics of color. The opinion defended is that colors are objective features of our world; objects are colored, and they have those colors independent of how they are experienced. It is a minority opinion. Many philosophers thinking about color experience argue that perceptual variation, the fact that color experiences vary from observer to observer and from viewing condition to viewing condition, makes objectivism untenable. Many philosophers thinking about colors and science argue that colors are ontologically unnecessary; nothing to be explained requires an appeal to colors. A careful look at arguments from perceptual variation shows that those arguments are not compelling, and especially once it is clear how to individuate colors. Moreover, a careful look at scientific explanations shows that colors are explanatorily essential. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

    Product details

    April 2025
    Adobe eBook Reader
    9781009324229
    0 pages
    This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.

    Table of Contents

    • 1. Into the Rabbit hole: why colors seem so challenging
    • 2. A brief history of the problem and possible solutions
    • 3. Out of the Rabbit hole
    • 4. Reweaving the rainbow
    • 5. Realism in the Metaphysics of Science
    • 6. Conclusion
    • References.
      Authors
    • Michael Watkins , Auburn University
    • Elay Shech , Auburn University