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Single Idea 14799

[from 'The Approach to Metaphysics' by Charles Sanders Peirce, in 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 4. Metaphysics as Science ]

Full Idea

Metaphysics really rests on observations, whether consciously or not. The only reason this is not recognised is that it rests upon kinds of phenomena with which every man's experience is so saturated that he pays no particular attention to them.

Gist of Idea

Metaphysics rests on observations, but ones so common we hardly notice them

Source

Charles Sanders Peirce (The Approach to Metaphysics [1898], p.311)

Book Reference

Peirce,Charles Sanders: 'Philosophical Writings of Peirce', ed/tr. Buchler,Justus [Dover 1940], p.311


A Reaction

I think this is entirely right. I would say that the only thing that distinguishes metaphysical thought is its extreme level of generality, which makes it very hard to substantiate, because it is so remote from its evidential base.