Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome | |||
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Metaphysics: is a theory that has the claim to ask questions and provide answers beyond our available knowledge. It is objected that even for asking questions, a knowledge of the meanings of the words used is required. This knowledge is not given when experiences or at least theories using these terms are not available. See also essentialism, metaphysical possibility._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
Author | Concept | Summary/Quotes | Sources |
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Robert Stalnaker on Metaphysics - Dictionary of Arguments
I 1 Metaphysics/Stalnaker: metaphysics asks how the world is, not how we think about it. I 2 CarnapVsMetaphysics: in metaphysics there is a confusion of discovery and stipulation. I 15 Def understanding/Stalnaker: thesis: we understand the informational or propositional content in terms of distinguishing between options. Def metaphysics: metaphysics concerns the distinctions that need to be made between options. >Possibility, >Logical possibility, >Metaphysical possibility. Def semantics: semantics affects our ability to represent options and to distinguish between them. >Semantics, >Intentionality, >Meaning (Intending). Representation: we can only judge representation if we know how our logical space is structured. >Representation. Descriptive semantics: descriptive semantics asks what the semantic value of expressions is. Basic semantics: basic semantics asks, due to which facts they have this value. Metaphysical: metaphysical is inconceivable. I 181 Metaphysics/Essentialism/Kripke/Stalnaker: thesis: the only role of theory in Kripke is that it serves to reject false arguments based on the confusion of two different questions (metaphysical and semantic questions). >Essence/Kripke, >Metaphysics/Kripke, >Essentialism/Kripke, >Essentialism._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Stalnaker I R. Stalnaker Ways a World may be Oxford New York 2003 |