First published in 1940, this is a broad-ranging work in which Collingwood considers the nature of philosophy, especially of metaphysics. He puts forward his well-known doctrine of absolute pre-suppositions, expounds a logic of question and answer, and gives an account of causation. Review from previous edition: skilfully-edited and handsomely-produced ... Nearly sixty years after its first publication An Essay on Metaphysics retains its philosophical value.