Single Idea 21474

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 5. Metaphysics beyond Science]

Full Idea

The plummet touches the bottom of the sea now at a greater depth, now at a less, but is bound to reach it somewhere sooner or later; the study of this inexplicable devolves upon metaphysics.

Gist of Idea

Metaphysics studies the inexplicable ends of explanation

Source

Arthur Schopenhauer (Parerga and Paralipomena [1851], I:1)

Book Reference

Schopenhauer,Arthur: 'Essays and Aphorisms [from Pand P]', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1970], p.117


A Reaction

This definition of metapysics contains the germ of despair about the subject. Does he hope that metaphysicians can explain what nobody else can?

Related Idea

Idea 21473 All knowledge and explanation rests on the inexplicable [Schopenhauer]