Overview
- Contains original research in analytic metaphysics and meta-metaphysics
- Offers a detailed and innovative discussion of metaphysical equivalence
- Explores the role of aesthetic properties of metaphysical theories from an original angle
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Part of the book series: Synthese Library (SYLI, volume 374)
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Table of contents (7 chapters)
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Front Matter
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On Equivalence and Primitiveness
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Front Matter
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How to Make a Choice Between Metaphysical Theories?
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
Before we get there, the philosophical path the author proposes to follow starts with three discussions of metaphysical equivalence. Benovsky argues that there are cases of metaphysical equivalence, cases of partial metaphysical equivalence, as well as interesting cases of theories that are not equivalent. Thus, claims of metaphysical equivalence can only be raised locally. The slogan is: the best way to do meta-metaphysics is to do first-level metaphysics.To do this work, Benovsky focuses on the nature of primitives and on the role they play in each of the theories involved. He emphasizes the utmost importance of primitives in the construction of metaphysical theories and in the subsequent evaluation of them.
He then raises the simple but complicated question: how to make a choice between competing metaphysical theories? If two theories are equivalent, then perhaps we do not need to make a choice. But what about all the other cases of non-equivalent "equally good" theories? Benovsky uses some of the theories discussed in the first part of the book as examples and examines some traditional meta-theoretical criteria for theory choice (various kinds of simplicity, compatibility with physics, compatibility with intuitions, explanatory power, internal consistency,...) only to show that they do not allow us to make a choice.
But if the standard meta-theoretical criteria cannot help us in deciding between competing non-equivalent metaphysical theories, how then shall we make that choice? This is where Benovsky argues that metaphysical theories possess aesthetic properties – grounded in non-aesthetic properties – and that these play a crucial role in theory choice and evaluation. This view, as well as allthe meta-metaphysical considerations discussed throughout the book, then naturally lead the author to a form of anti-realism, and at the end of the journey he offers reasons to think better of the kind of anti-realist view he proposes to embrace.
www.jiribenovsky.org
Reviews
“Jiri Benovsky’s book is a useful, thought-provoking, and engaging contribution to the literature on ‘meta-metaphysics’. Whilst the core topics under discussion are ‘meta’ or second-order issues … this book will likely be best appreciated by those already somewhat versed in the theories under consideration (most centrally, bundle theory and substratum theory, endurantism and perdurantism, and presentism and eternalism). … this is a thought-provoking book, and one that is an excellent addition to the growing interest in the methodology of metaphysics.” (J. T. M. Miller, dialectica, Vol. 71 (4), 2017)
“Benovsky presents an original if controversial meta-metaphysical picture supported by exceptionally detailed and insightful case studies. … Thisbook is without doubt crucial reading for anyone interested in the growing literature on the methodology of metaphysics, but I would regard it perhaps even more important for those interested in the various first order debates that Benovsky analyzes.” (Tuomas E. Tahko, Notre Dame Philosophical Rerviews, ndpr.nd.edu, July, 2016)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Meta-metaphysics
Book Subtitle: On Metaphysical Equivalence, Primitiveness, and Theory Choice
Authors: Jiri Benovsky
Series Title: Synthese Library
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25334-3
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-25332-9Published: 30 March 2016
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-79772-4Published: 19 April 2018
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-25334-3Published: 22 March 2016
Series ISSN: 0166-6991
Series E-ISSN: 2542-8292
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XI, 135
Number of Illustrations: 20 b/w illustrations
Topics: Metaphysics