Single Idea 5432

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 2. Possibility of Metaphysics]

Full Idea

It would seem that knowledge concerning the universe as a whole is not to be obtained by metaphysics.

Gist of Idea

Metaphysics cannot give knowledge of the universe as a whole

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch.14)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.82


A Reaction

Although Russell is strongly attracted to rationalism and platonism, this remark puts him firmly in the camp of Hume, and makes him godfather to the logical positivists. I regard metaphysics as extremely speculative attempts at explanation.