Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- 1What Is the Question?
- 2Could There Be an Explanation for Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing?
- 3Should We Expect There to Be an Explanation for Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing?
- 4Some Proposed Explanations
- 5Is Nothing Really “Simpler and Easier” Than Something? Part 1 – Simplicity and Nonontological Truths
- 6Is Nothing Really “Simpler and Easier” Than Something? Part 2 – What Might Explain Why These Nonontological Truths Obtain?
- 7Is Nothing Really “Simpler and Easier” Than Something? Part 3 – What Does My Proposal Accomplish?
- References
- Index
1 - What Is the Question?
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 August 2026
Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- 1What Is the Question?
- 2Could There Be an Explanation for Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing?
- 3Should We Expect There to Be an Explanation for Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing?
- 4Some Proposed Explanations
- 5Is Nothing Really “Simpler and Easier” Than Something? Part 1 – Simplicity and Nonontological Truths
- 6Is Nothing Really “Simpler and Easier” Than Something? Part 2 – What Might Explain Why These Nonontological Truths Obtain?
- 7Is Nothing Really “Simpler and Easier” Than Something? Part 3 – What Does My Proposal Accomplish?
- References
- Index
Summary
This chapter will examine the main questions people have meant to ask when they ask, “Why is there something rather than nothing?” I will then turn to articulate the interpretation of the Question that most interests me, and the one with which I will be concerned for the remainder of the book: Why does anything whatsoever exist? This question will be made more precise and will be distinguished from superficially similar questions (e.g., “Why does the world exist?”). I will argue that the question “Why does anything whatsoever exist?” is meaningful, substantive, legitimate, and worth pursuing.
Keywords
Information
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Why is There Something Rather than Nothing?The Fundamental Problem of Ontology, pp. 11 - 35Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
Accessibility standard: Unknown
Why this information is here
This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.Accessibility Information
Accessibility compliance for the PDF of this chapter is currently unknown and may be updated in the future.