Single Idea 21962

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 4. Metaphysics as Science]

Full Idea

The whole of philosophy is like a tree. The roots are metaphysics, the trunk is physics, and the branches emerging from the trunk are all the other sciences.

Gist of Idea

Metaphysics is the roots of the tree of science

Source

René Descartes (Preface to 'Principles of Philosophy' [1647]), quoted by A.W. Moore - The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics 01.2

Book Reference

Moore,A.W.: 'The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics' [CUP 2013], p.28


A Reaction

If Descartes had not believed this he would not have bothered with metaphysics, and philosophy might have been dead by 1650.