Constraining Metaphysics

Posted on January 18, 2009
Filed Under Peirce, Philosophy | 3 Comments

What constrains metaphysical thinking? I obviously don’t mean of necessity. Clearly we can imagine that we’re all brains in a vat, for instance, even if we don’t take it terribly seriously. But what ought constrain what we think about and give credence to?

Obviously on one hand all metaphysical thinking is fairly speculative. On my quote rotator is one of my favorite quotes on metaphysics from Theodore Side from his book Four Dimensionalism.

Metaphysical inquiry can survive if we are willing to live with highly tentative conclusions. Let’s not kid ourselves: metaphysics is highly speculative! It does not follow that it is entirely without rational grounds.

I take this to be very wise counsel that suggests we not abandon metaphysics but that we be rational about it yet simultaneously not be too serious about it. Our conclusions are, after all, very tentative indeed.

As I see it the two big dangers are either taking our metaphysical views too seriously or not seriously enough. Perhaps we should always have several positions we’re entertaining simultaneously so as to avoid being trapped into one way of thinking (which may very well be wrong) The other danger is just as bad though — to not take it seriously enough. As Peirce wrote,

Some think to avoid the influence of metaphysical errors, by paying no attention to metaphysics; but experience shows that these men beyond all others are held in an iron vice of metaphysical theory, because by theories that they have never called in question. No man is so enthralled by metaphysics as the totally uneducated; no man is so free from its dominion as the metaphysician himself. (CP 7.578)

However while that is a danger for many scientists and even any philosophers still caught in the positivist trap I suspect it’s not an issue for those reading this post.

My own answer in how to be rational while doing metaphysics is that one ought avoid appeal to intuitions or thinking close to our intuitions. To me that is just thinking metaphysics that supports our preconceptions. Investigating such may be useful if only to see what hidden preconceptions we have. But while that may be the first step in metaphysics I dare say it shouldn’t be the final step.

What I think we ought do is try to stick to the known empirical data we have in science. One ought recognize that science is a moving target. We do not have a final theory of everything. New discoveries may indeed change how we conceive of physics. Yet given that our metaphysics is already tentative I think we should stick to the mainstream science as closely as possible.

Some may object, but to me, talk about metaphysics is not the search for what really is. The ultimate reality. Far from it. Metaphysics is instead something we study so as to be aware of the reefs we ought be avoiding. That’s why it is useful to investigate the metaphysical implications of our intuitions. So we know what underlies our reasoning. We ought stick to the science so as to avoid more problems that have less grounding in the experiences of reality.

There’s an other great quote by Peirce that to me sums up my views on metaphysics.

…metaphysics is a subject much more curious than useful, the knowledge of which, like that of a sunken reef, serves chiefly to enable us to keep clear of it. (EP 1:140)

Related posts:

  1. The Problem with Metaphysics
  2. Sider Defends Metaphysics
  3. Metaphysics and Philosophy of Science
  4. Is Metaphysics a Sham?
  5. Naturalist Metaphysics
  6. Science and Metaphysics

Comments

3 Responses to “Constraining Metaphysics”

Well said. I’ve been thinking about metaphysics a lot lately but to summarize would be silly and I would say to much and too little to be coherent so I’ll save it for fuller post, but I like this and it gets at some important things.

2 S.D.BHARDWAJ on January 20th, 2009 3:04 am

i wish to know much more about Meta Physcises, type of meditation etc.in Metaphysics.

Can u suggest me some contact in India or Punjab(India0, to enable me to learn Meta Physcis.

Regards,

S.D.BHARDWAJ

I think you are thinking of something other than metaphysics. It is interesting that book stores in particular have sections called metaphysics that seem to have nothing to do with metaphysics. (In popular jargon it is unfortunately often a synonym for new age mysticism)

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