The Methodology of Metaphysics by Andrew Brenner

The Methodology of Metaphysics by Andrew Brenner

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 analyzing and/or engineering our concepts.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781009711760
Title	The Methodology of Metaphysics
Author	Andrew Brenner
Series	Elements In Metaphysics
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Year published	2026-09-30
Number of pages	75
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.