Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Lynch,MP/Glasgow,JM, R.D. Ingthorsson and M Loux / D Zimmerman

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2 ideas

1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 5. Metaphysics beyond Science
Metaphysics can criticise interpretations of science theories, and give good feedback [Ingthorsson]
     Full Idea: Metaphysics is capable of critical scrutiny of the way the empirical sciences make sense of their own theories, and can provide them with very useful feedback.
     From: R.D. Ingthorsson (A Powerful Particulars View of Causation [2021], 1.9)
     A reaction: I agree with this, but I don't think it is the main job of metaphysics, which has its own agenda, using science as some of its raw material.
1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 6. Metaphysics as Conceptual
Modern empirical metaphysics focuses on ontological commitments of discourse, or on presuppositions [Loux/Zimmerman]
     Full Idea: The empiricist revival of metaphysics came with Quine, who focused on ontological commitments associated with accepting a body of discourse, and Strawson, asking about the presuppositions of our conceptual practices.
     From: M Loux / D Zimmerman (Intro to Oxford Hndbk of Metaphysics [2003])
     A reaction: I find myself preferring the British approach. I can discourse about things without ontological commitment, and utter truths about non-existent things. I really yearn, though, for the third way - actually reasoning towards knowing what's out there.