Metaphysical

The indispensability argument seeks

by

The indispensability argument seeks to assimilate the epistemology of metaphysical statements to the epistemology of statements that are obviously empirical. I think it fails to achieve this goal. The argument does not refute the Carnapian thesis that scientific theories and metaphysical claims differ epistemologically – observations can provide evidence for the former, but not for … Read more

It can be a

by

It can be a necessary conceptual truth that pains are painful without this ruling out the physicalist thesis that immaterial minds are impossible or the thesis that conscious states supervene on physical states. The necessity involved in these claims is nomological necessity, not metaphysical necessity (assuming that these are different). Elliott Sober

The indispensability argument says

by

The indispensability argument says (roughly) that if you have ample reason to accept an empirical scientific theory that makes indispensable use of mathematics, and that theory entails that numbers exist, then you have ample reason to accept that numbers exist. The argument affirms the antecedent of this conditional, and concludes that you have ample reason … Read more

The only method of

by

The only method of restoring the natural equality of dignity between men and women, lies in the demolishment of that elaborate theological structure which maintains that woman is made for the possession of man in a sense in which man is not made for woman, and that celibacy, per se, is a state of superior … Read more

It [9/11] transcended the

by

It [9/11] transcended the political and moved into the metaphysical. There was a kind of cosmic, demonic quality of mind at work here, which refused to have any interest in dialogue and political organization and persuasion. This was bloody-minded destruction for no other reason than to do it. Edward Said

It [destroying Twin Towers]

by

It [destroying Twin Towers] was a leap into another realm – the realm of crazy abstractions and mythological generalities, involving people who have hijacked Islam for their own purposes. It’s important not to fall into that trap and to try to respond with a metaphysical retaliation of some sort. Edward Said

This [terrorists attacks on

by

This [terrorists attacks on 9/11] was part of nothing. It was a leap into another realm – the realm of crazy abstractions and mythological generalities, involving people who have hijacked Islam for their own purposes. It’s important not to fall into that trap and to try to respond with a metaphysical retaliation of some sort. … Read more

It was the fashion

by

It was the fashion of the times to attribute every remarkable event to the particular will of the Deity; the alterations of nature were connected, by an invisible chain, with the moral and metaphysical opinions of the human mind; and the most sagacious divines could distinguish, according to the colour of their respective prejudices, that … Read more

Dawkins’s problem is that

by

Dawkins’s problem is that he doesn’t know the difference between probabilistic empirical theorizing and strict metaphysical demonstration, and thus misreads an attempt at the latter as if it were the former. That is not to say that Aquinas might not be mistaken at some point in the argument – though obviously I don’t think he … Read more