Metaphysics: Constructing a World View

This introductory metaphysics text systematically examines fundamental philosophical questions while advancing a distinctly Christian theistic framework. Hasker structures his investigation around core metaphysical problems including the nature of reality, persons, freedom, knowledge, and values, arguing that Christian theism provides the most coherent and comprehensive worldview for addressing these perennial concerns.

The work begins by establishing metaphysics as the discipline concerned with ultimate reality and the basic structure of existence. Hasker contends that everyone operates with implicit metaphysical assumptions, making explicit philosophical reflection both necessary and valuable. He emphasizes that metaphysical inquiry cannot proceed from a neutral standpoint but inevitably involves presuppositions that shape investigation.

Central to Hasker's approach is his treatment of the person-nature relationship and the mind-body problem. He critiques materialistic reductions of consciousness while defending a form of emergent dualism that preserves both human embodiment and mental reality. This position supports his broader argument for libertarian free will, which he considers essential for moral responsibility and authentic religious commitment. Against compatibilist alternatives, Hasker maintains that genuine freedom requires the ability to choose otherwise in identical circumstances.

The work engages substantively with naturalistic worldviews, particularly scientific materialism and determinism. Hasker argues these positions face insurmountable difficulties in accounting for consciousness, rationality, moral values, and the apparent contingency of the universe. He presents theism as offering superior explanatory resources, particularly regarding the existence of objective moral values, the fine-tuning of physical constants, and the emergence of minded beings capable of knowledge and moral agency.

Hasker's epistemological discussions emphasize the legitimacy of religious experience and the rationality of theistic belief. While acknowledging the challenges posed by religious diversity and the problem of evil, he maintains that Christian theism remains intellectually defensible and explanatorily powerful. The work attempts to demonstrate how Christian metaphysical commitments - including divine transcendence and immanence, creation ex nihilo, and providential governance - provide coherent solutions to philosophical puzzles that plague alternative worldviews.

Throughout, Hasker employs analytical philosophical methods while remaining accessible to undergraduate readers. His project represents a significant contribution to Christian philosophy by showing how traditional theistic commitments can engage contemporary metaphysical debates. The work functions both as a general introduction to metaphysical thinking and as a sustained defense of a Christian philosophical perspective.