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The Methodology of Metaphysics

Expected online publication date:  07 September 2026

Andrew Brenner
Affiliation:
Hong Kong Baptist University

Summary

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 the aim of analyzing and/or engineering our concepts.

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The Methodology of Metaphysics
  • Andrew Brenner, Hong Kong Baptist University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009711784
Available formats No formats are currently available for this content.
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The Methodology of Metaphysics
  • Andrew Brenner, Hong Kong Baptist University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009711784
Available formats No formats are currently available for this content.
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The Methodology of Metaphysics
  • Andrew Brenner, Hong Kong Baptist University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009711784
Available formats No formats are currently available for this content.
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