Single Idea 23768

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 1. Ontologies]

Full Idea

A metaphysic is what you get when you embed a fundamental ontology within a larger metaphysical framework by repeatedly appealing to elements of that ontology in explaining metaphysical phenomena. …Only then do you see what the ontology is worth.

Gist of Idea

A metaphysic is a set of wider explanations derived from a basic ontology

Source

Neil E. Williams (The Powers Metaphysics [2019], 01.1)

Book Reference

Williams,Neil E.: 'The Powers Metaphysics' [OUP 2019], p.2


A Reaction

Confirming my mantra that metaphysics is an explanatory activity. I think it is important that the ontology includes relations (such as 'determinations'), and is not just an inventory of types of entity.

Related Idea

Idea 23769 Promoting an ontology by its implied good metaphysic is an 'argument-by-display' [Williams,NE]