Full Idea
On the now dominant Quinean view, metaphysics is about what there is (such as properties, meanings and numbers). I will argue for the revival of a more traditional Aristotelian view, on which metaphysics is about what grounds what.
Gist of Idea
Modern Quinean metaphysics is about what exists, but Aristotelian metaphysics asks about grounding
Source
Jonathan Schaffer (On What Grounds What [2009], Intro)
Book Reference
'Metametaphysics', ed/tr. Chalmers/Manley/Wasserman [OUP 2009], p.347
A Reaction
I find that an enormously helpful distinction, and support the Aristotelian view. Schaffer's general line is that what exists is fairly uncontroversial and dull, but the interesting truths about the world emerge when we grasp its structure.
Related Idea
Idea 13735 Aristotle discusses fundamental units of being, rather than existence questions [Aristotle, by Schaffer,J]