Metaphysics in its classic sense has always been understood to be the rational investigation of the eternal order. — StreetlightX
Metaphysics is the attempt to find out what absolute presuppositions have been made by this or that person or groups of persons, on this or that occasion or groups of occasions, in the course of this or that piece of thinking. — T Clark
Metaphysics in its classic sense has always been understood to be the rational investigation of the eternal order. — StreetlightX
Whereas in a lot of modern thinking, the idea of there even being 'an eternal order' is passé. — Wayfarer
Metaphysicians are musicians without musical ability. — Carnap
Metaphysics, in Collingwood's sense, is very important to me. It is central to my understanding of the nature of reality and our relationship — T Clark
There are few things in life that are exactly what we want them to be. So philosophers, unlike Scientists, tend to adapt the Self to the Situation (Ethics), instead of changing the world to better suit the human body (Physics).For a minute, let’s discuss what I want metaphysics to be, but which it probably isn’t. At least not entirely – I want it to be the set of rules, assumptions we agree on to allow discussion, reason, to proceed, e.g. there is a knowable external, objective reality; truth represents a correspondence between external reality and some representation of it; it’s turtles all the way down; the Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao. Ha! — T Clark
Do you think Carnap would agree that his work falls under the heading of metaphysics? Or is a matter of irony if it does? — Wayfarer
Whereas in a lot of modern thinking, the idea of there even being 'an eternal order' is passé. Positivism says straight out that metaphysics is empty words, and a lot of people agree. I think you feel the pull of something beyond - hence your attraction to the Tao Te Ching - but find it very frustrating and difficult to pin down or articulate what it is, as you say in your post. — Wayfarer
Too many people like me wanting to wipe the slate clean. — T Clark
Heidegger, who rejects traditional metaphysics (as Kant did) — Janus
No no no. That won't do. Metaphysics is the stuff of the transcendent. Metaphysics is that which lies beyond the physics. Metaphysics is what Kant tried to ask how is it possible. Metaphysics is whatever Hegel said. And worldmaking, and interpreting physics, and seeing spirits and is gobbledygook and also profound. — Manuel
There are few things in life that are exactly what we want them to be. So philosophers, unlike Scientists, tend to adapt the Self to the Situation (Ethics), instead of changing the world to better suit the human body (Physics). — Gnomon
It would be nice if we could all agree on a "set of rules" for discussing metaphysical questions. — Gnomon
That said, we are still faced with agreeing on a definition of whatever it is we are disagreeing about. Which is even more difficult, if we can't even agree on what divisive topics fall under the umbrella of Metaphysics. — Gnomon
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