The Methodology of Metaphysics

Critics claim that, while metaphysics aims to uncover deep non-conceptual truths regarding reality, its methodology is incapable of giving us justified beliefs regarding metaphysical theses. This Element investigates whether this criticism of metaphysics is on the right track, by an opinionated introduction to the methodology of metaphysics.

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.