
The Methodology of Metaphysics
Andrew Brenner(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Will be published approx. on 30. September 2026
Book
Hardback
75 pages
978-1-009-71175-3 (ISBN)
Description
The methodology of metaphysics has come under severe scrutiny from critics who claim that, while metaphysics aims to uncover deep non-conceptual truths regarding reality, its standard methodology is incapable of giving us justified beliefs regarding which metaphysical theses are true. In this Element I investigate whether this criticism of metaphysics is on the right track, by way of an opinionated introduction to the methodology of metaphysics. I give an overview of recent debates concerning the methodology of metaphysics, with special attention paid to the epistemic credentials of appeals to intuitions and non-empirical theoretical virtues. I also examine alternative proposed aims of metaphysics other than that of uncovering deep non-conceptual truths, and with what sorts of methodologies those aims might be associated. These alternative proposed aims of metaphysics include achieving practical benefits, achieving understanding, discovering stable equilibria among possible metaphysical views, and the aim of analyzing and/or engineering our concepts.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
ISBN-13
978-1-009-71175-3 (9781009711753)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Content
Acknowledgments; 1. Introduction; 2. Aim 1: metaphysics aims to uncover deep truths; 3. Aim 2: metaphysics aims at practical benefits; 4. Aim 3: metaphysics aims to achieve understanding; 5. Aim 4: metaphysics aims to discover stable equilibria; 6. Aim 5: metaphysics aims to analyze and/or engineer our; Concepts; Bibliography.