Robert C Koons
Biographic Data
| ID | 1290575 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Robert C Koons |
| GIVEN NAMES | Robert C |
| FAMILY NAME | Koons |
| SIGNATURE | KOONS R C |
| AFFILIATIONS | The University of Texas at Austin |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-8555-1482 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 13 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 4 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 13 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1989 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Staunch Transubstantiation and the Metaphysics of Middle-Sized Things
An Aristotelian natural philosophy, with its account of substantial form as the organizing and unifying principle of all substances, including living human beings, is essential to a coherent and theologically accurate formulation of the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation. I demonstrate this fact by considering a recent proposal by Howard Robinson, which attempts to re-formulate the doctrine within a Cartesian or substance dualist framework. …
The Two Faces of Semi-Physicalism
This paper responds to Halvorson’s reflections on hylomorphism by addressing its quantum application (Koons and Simpson) and contextually emergent physics (Ellis and Drossel). It also critiques physicalist interpretations of quantum mechanics and argues for the fundamental nature of thermodynamic phenomena. Koons, Simpson, Ellis and Drossel defend hylomorphism as a framework that challenges dogmatic semi-physicalism. They examine causal pluralism…
Classical Theism
Skepticism and the principle of sufficient reason
The Principle of Sufficient Reason must be justified dialectically: by showing the disastrous consequences of denying it. We formulate a version of the Principle that is restricted to basic natural facts, which entails the obtaining of at least one supernatural fact. Denying this principle results in extreme empirical skepticism. We consider six current theories of empirical knowledge, showing that on each account we cannot know that we have empi…
Neo-Aristotelian Metaphysics and the Theology of Nature
Thermal substances
The paper addresses a problem for the unification of quantum physics with the new Aristotelianism: the identification of the members of the category of substance (ousia). I outline briefly the role that substance plays in Aristotelian metaphysics, leading to the postulating of the Tiling Constraint. I then turn to the question of which entities in quantum physics can qualify as Aristotelian substances. I offer an answer: the theory of thermal sub…
The ontological and epistemological superiority of hylomorphism
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Forms as Simple and Individual Grounds of Things’ Natures
To understand Aristotle’s conception of form, we have to see clearly the relationship between his account and Plato’s Theory of Forms. I offer a novel interpretation of Aristotle’s Moderate Realism, in which forms are simple particulars that ground the character and mutual similarity of the entities they inform. Such an account has advantages in three areas: explaining (1) the similarity of particulars, (2) the synchronic unity of composite parti…
Divine persons as relational qua- objects
Is the Christian doctrine of the Trinity consistent with a very strong version of the thesis of divine simplicity? Yes, so long as the simple divine nature is a relational nature, a nature that could be characterized in terms of such relations as knowing and loving. This divine nature functions simultaneously as agent, patient, and action: as knower, known and knowledge, and lover, beloved, and love. I will draw on work on qua- objects by Kit Fin…
Realism Regained
"In this wide-ranging philosophical work, Koons takes on two powerful dogmas - anti-realism and materialism. He offers a broadly naturalistic account of norms, building upon and refining the teleological theories of Dretske, Stampe, Millikan, and others. However, Koons argues against a narrowly materialistic view, providing seven independent lines of argument for the existence of non-physical facts, in particular, facts of logical, mathematical, …
Partisan logic
A representational account of mutual belief
Thermal substances
The paper addresses a problem for the unification of quantum physics with the new Aristotelianism: the identification of the members of the category of substance (ousia). I outline briefly the role that substance plays in Aristotelian metaphysics, leading to the postulating of the Tiling Constraint. I then turn to the question of which entities in quantum physics can qualify as Aristotelian substances. I offer an answer: the theory of thermal sub…
The ontological and epistemological superiority of hylomorphism
A representational account of mutual belief
Partisan logic
Realism Regained
"In this wide-ranging philosophical work, Koons takes on two powerful dogmas - anti-realism and materialism. He offers a broadly naturalistic account of norms, building upon and refining the teleological theories of Dretske, Stampe, Millikan, and others. However, Koons argues against a narrowly materialistic view, providing seven independent lines of argument for the existence of non-physical facts, in particular, facts of logical, mathematical, …
Forms as Simple and Individual Grounds of Things’ Natures
To understand Aristotle’s conception of form, we have to see clearly the relationship between his account and Plato’s Theory of Forms. I offer a novel interpretation of Aristotle’s Moderate Realism, in which forms are simple particulars that ground the character and mutual similarity of the entities they inform. Such an account has advantages in three areas: explaining (1) the similarity of particulars, (2) the synchronic unity of composite parti…
Divine persons as relational qua- objects
Is the Christian doctrine of the Trinity consistent with a very strong version of the thesis of divine simplicity? Yes, so long as the simple divine nature is a relational nature, a nature that could be characterized in terms of such relations as knowing and loving. This divine nature functions simultaneously as agent, patient, and action: as knower, known and knowledge, and lover, beloved, and love. I will draw on work on qua- objects by Kit Fin…
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Skepticism and the principle of sufficient reason
The Principle of Sufficient Reason must be justified dialectically: by showing the disastrous consequences of denying it. We formulate a version of the Principle that is restricted to basic natural facts, which entails the obtaining of at least one supernatural fact. Denying this principle results in extreme empirical skepticism. We consider six current theories of empirical knowledge, showing that on each account we cannot know that we have empi…
Neo-Aristotelian Metaphysics and the Theology of Nature
Thermal substances
The paper addresses a problem for the unification of quantum physics with the new Aristotelianism: the identification of the members of the category of substance (ousia). I outline briefly the role that substance plays in Aristotelian metaphysics, leading to the postulating of the Tiling Constraint. I then turn to the question of which entities in quantum physics can qualify as Aristotelian substances. I offer an answer: the theory of thermal sub…
The ontological and epistemological superiority of hylomorphism
Classical Theism
Staunch Transubstantiation and the Metaphysics of Middle-Sized Things
An Aristotelian natural philosophy, with its account of substantial form as the organizing and unifying principle of all substances, including living human beings, is essential to a coherent and theologically accurate formulation of the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation. I demonstrate this fact by considering a recent proposal by Howard Robinson, which attempts to re-formulate the doctrine within a Cartesian or substance dualist framework. …
The Two Faces of Semi-Physicalism
This paper responds to Halvorson’s reflections on hylomorphism by addressing its quantum application (Koons and Simpson) and contextually emergent physics (Ellis and Drossel). It also critiques physicalist interpretations of quantum mechanics and argues for the fundamental nature of thermodynamic phenomena. Koons, Simpson, Ellis and Drossel defend hylomorphism as a framework that challenges dogmatic semi-physicalism. They examine causal pluralism…
Epistemology (9 works) · Philosophy (9 works) · Metaphysics (8 works) · Classical Philosophy and Thought (5 works) · Philosophy and Theoretical Science (4 works) · Philosophy of language (4 works) · Philosophy of science (4 works) · Historical Philosophy and Science (3 works) · Physics (3 works) · Political science (3 works)