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Single Idea 12119

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

Full Idea

Physic should contemplate that which is inherent in matter, and therefore transitory; and metaphysic that which is abstracted and fixed

Clarification

'Physic' here is 'physics' (not 'medicine')

Gist of Idea

Physics studies transitory matter; metaphysics what is abstracted and necessary

Source

Francis Bacon (The Advancement of Learning [1605], II.VII.3)

Book Ref

Bacon,Francis: 'Advancement of Learning/New Atlantis' [OUP 1966], p.108

A Reaction

He cites the ancients for this view, with which he agrees. One could do worse than hang onto metaphysics as the study of necessities, but must then face the attacks of the Quineans - that knowledge of necessities is beyond us.

The 20 ideas with the same theme [metaphysics as transcending natural science]:

12119 Physics studies transitory matter; metaphysics what is abstracted and necessary [Bacon]
12120 Physics is of material and efficient causes, metaphysics of formal and final causes [Bacon]
12914 Metaphysics is geometrical, resting on non-contradiction and sufficient reason [Leibniz]
12780 We can grasp the wisdom of God a priori [Leibniz]
9752 Kant showed that theoretical reason cannot give answers to speculative metaphysics [Kant, by Korsgaard]
6584 A priori metaphysics is fond of basic unchanging entities like God, the soul, Forms, atoms… [Kant, by Fogelin]
9349 A dove cutting through the air, might think it could fly better in airless space (which Plato attempted) [Kant]
3722 Metaphysics goes beyond the empirical, so doesn't need examples [Kant]
6203 Metaphysics is just a priori universal principles of physics [Kant]
21474 Metaphysics studies the inexplicable ends of explanation [Schopenhauer]
19229 Metaphysics is the science of both experience, and its general laws and types [Peirce]
5182 Claims about 'the Absolute' are not even verifiable in principle [Ayer on Bradley]
19199 Some say metaphysics is a highly generalised empirical study of objects [Tarski]
18390 All metaphysical discussion should be guided by a quest for truthmakers [Armstrong]
2546 Philosophy is a magnificent failure in its attempt to overstep the limits of our knowledge [McGinn]
17275 Realist metaphysics concerns what is real; naive metaphysics concerns natures of things [Fine,K]
8282 Only metaphysics can decide whether identity survives through change [Lowe]
16127 Metaphysics tells us what there could be, rather than what there is [Lowe]
16415 Esoteric metaphysics aims to be top science, investigating ultimate reality [Hofweber]
22611 Metaphysics can criticise interpretations of science theories, and give good feedback [Ingthorsson]