Single Idea 21461

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 3. Metaphysical Systems]

Full Idea

I should have like to be a piecemeal, unsystematic philosopher, offering independent proposals on a variety of topics. It was not be. I succumbed too often to the temptation to presuppose my views on one topic when writing on another.

Gist of Idea

I tried to be unsystematic and piecemeal, but failed; my papers presuppose my other views

Source

David Lewis (Introduction to Philosophical Papers I [1983], p.1)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'Philosophical Papers Vol.1' [OUP 1983], p.-5


A Reaction

He particularly mentions his possible worlds realism as a doctrine which coloured all his other work. A charming insight into the mind of a systematic thinker (called by someone 'the most systematic metaphysician since Leibniz').