more on this theme     |     more from this thinker     |     more from this text


Single Idea 8282

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

Full Idea

Only metaphysics can vindicate a judgement that a caterpillar survives to become a butterfly, but a pig does not survive to become pork, or that water survives as ice, but that paper does not survive as ash.

Gist of Idea

Only metaphysics can decide whether identity survives through change

Source

E.J. Lowe (The Possibility of Metaphysics [1998], 8.2)

Book Ref

Lowe,E.J.: 'The Possibility of Metaphysics' [OUP 2001], p.179


A Reaction

The works of Lowe, and other modern heroes, have shown that these real questions can be pursued intensively into areas where no scientist, or even theologian, would dare to tread.