"As Franklin reminds us, it is a failing of mathematics programs that they typically offer no courses on mathematics. They have courses on algebra, calculus, probability and so on, "but no course offering a conspectus of the subject." In The Necessities Underlying Reality , Franklin goes one better. Not only does he explain how necessities underly mathematics in toto , he suggests that it is these same necessities that are key to understanding a much broader range of phenomena. It is a suggestion that is sure to prompt debate." --Andrew Irvine, Professor of Philosophy, University of British Columbia, Canada "Without talking down to his readers, Franklin explains Aristotelian-style realism and its implications for our understanding of everything, from maths through logic to ethics. It's an exhilarating ride - wonderfully illuminating about what really matters - in particular for someone brought up in post-modernism's attitude of suspicion about everything" --Bernadette Tobin, Australian Catholic University, Australia "We all knew that James Franklin's philosophical rage was broad; now we can see how it all comes together. The Necessities Underlying Reality shows us that Franklin is a systematic philosopher.

It argues for a realist theory of modality that spans mathematics, metaphysical modality, and morality. It is philosophically ambitious in Armstrongian vein and written in Franklin's direct, no-nonsense style. As such, it is an important new instalment of Aristotelian realism. For the metaphysician and moral philosopher alike, the reading of this book is itself a necessity" --Professor Peter Anstey, Australian Catholic University, Australia.