# How Things Might Have Been

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/penelope-mackie/how-things-might-have-been/9780199562404

JSON version (same data): https://www.bookquiver.com/penelope-mackie/how-things-might-have-been/9780199562404.json

![How Things Might Have Been](https://quivercdn.com/covers/oup-oxford/penelope-mackie/how-things-might-have-been_978-01-9956-240-4-6ba91d52.webp?v=2026-11-11%2021%3A43%3A12)

- Book: [How Things Might Have Been](https://www.bookquiver.com/penelope-mackie/how-things-might-have-been) ([How Things Might Have Been.md](https://www.bookquiver.com/penelope-mackie/how-things-might-have-been.md))
- Authors: [Penelope Mackie](https://www.bookquiver.com/penelope-mackie)
- Publisher: OUP Oxford
- ISBN: 978-01-9956-240-4
- Pages: 228
- Published: 2009-02-12
- Language: en_US
- Binding: Softcover

## Description

Penelope Mackie's book is a novel treatment of an issue central to much current work in metaphysics: the distinction between the essential and accidental properties of individuals. Mackie's accessible discussions of issues surrounding necessity and essentialism mean that the book appeals as much to graduate students as to seasoned metaphysicians.