more from Trenton Merricks

Single Idea 6123

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / G. Scientific Philosophy / 3. Scientism]

Full Idea

Ontology is not empirical, but ontologists do make discoveries; empirical investigation won't discover that holes exist; we see that two things are the same colour, but a philosopher must resolve whether one universal is present in both.

Clarification

'Ontologists' study what exists

Gist of Idea

Empirical investigation can't discover if holes exist, or if two things share a colour

Source

Trenton Merricks (Objects and Persons [2003], Pref)

Book Reference

Merricks,Trenton: 'Objects and Persons' [OUP 2003], p.-6


A Reaction

This is one of the best, simplest and clearest statements I have encountered of the autonomy of philosophy. One may, of course, respond by saying 'who cares?', but then who cares about quarks, or the economy of the Spanish Empire?