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The Epistemology of Metaphysics
working on a book

The Epistemology of Metaphysics

JamesBrenton
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Posted 04/30/08 - 10:00 PM: Subject: The Epistemology of Metaphysics	#1
Hi all. With my current knowledge it would appear impossible to you viewing on the screen that I would be capable of creating a book. But I assure you, it is not impossible, and I do have an idea about how to proceede with it but I am here asking for brainstorming ideas as well as things such as "what IS" the epistemology of metaphysics and if somebody would care to give an example and perhaps elaborate a little bit on the topic. Especially given that it is difficult. I will try. Epistemology is the study of knowledge. Incorperates things like how we get our knowledge of God, how our knowledge is formed, etc. Metaphysics is why a lion growls. Metaphysics is why a lion DOESN'T grown Seriously though. What would an epistemology of metaphysics incorperate? I already have it well in my mind but it is difficult to answer and this being likly my first thread I would like to hear somebodys responses gtg ttyl. -Brent
_____________________ Yea, though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

quickly
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Posted 04/30/08 - 10:29 PM:	#2
And as I sat there brooding on the old, unknown world, I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night. Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning—— ---- Are you looking for general theories and problems? Histories? From where? From what continent, from what time period? After Kant? Are you differentiating metaphysics and ontology? Are you talking about perception and consciousness and resemblance and representation or just logic, semantics, and linguistic truths?
_____________________ "Monsters cannot be announced. One cannot say: 'here are our monsters', without immediately turning the monsters into pets." -Jacques Derrida

Cuthbert
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Posted 05/01/08 - 12:50 AM:	#3
"What would an epistemology of metaphysics incorperate? " I guess it would try to answer the questions: 'If metaphysical statements can be true, can we know them to be true? If we can, how do we get that knowledge? What does knowing the truth of a metaphysical statement consist in?' On the other hand, if metaphysical statements cannot be true (e.g. perhaps they can be neither true nor false), then can we know that to be true? All of which are pretty interesting questions. Why do you think metaphysics is about why a lion doesn't growl? Seems to me it doesn't growl because it's asleep. Or maybe that's just my lion.

JamesBrenton
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Posted 05/01/08 - 10:41 AM:	#4
quickly wrote: And as I sat there brooding on the old, unknown world, I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night. Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning—— ---- Are you looking for general theories and problems? Histories? From where? From what continent, from what time period? After Kant? Are you differentiating metaphysics and ontology? Are you talking about perception and consciousness and resemblance and representation or just logic, semantics, and linguistic truths? Actually I was looking for someone to help me with what an epistemology of metaphysics would be. I am not concerned with ontology at the present moment, as that is more centered (I feel--- do not get my non-text book interpretation mixed up) on our being in the world. Metaphysics is more broad and incorperates our knowledge of things. Whilist epistemology is something more direct and approaching (if you are familiar you may enjoy my terms). Irregardless I am looking mostly for brainstorming ideas and theories; I appericiate your "cunning" btw --- These can consist of whichever ideas you like. If you can get passt my horrible condition with language and etc then maybe we can achieve something. Cuthbert I appericate you cunning also. Cheers?
_____________________ Yea, though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

TecnoTut
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Posted 05/01/08 - 01:26 PM:	#5
Are you asking for the methodology of metaphysics? What tools and methods are available for a metaphysician?
_____________________ He that dies pays all debts - Shakespeare's Stephano from The Tempest Truth is its own measure - Spinoza (contra Protagoras) Those who deny [Aristotle's] first principle should be flogged or burned until they admit that it is not the same thing to be burned and not burned, or whipped and not whipped. - Ibn Sina (Avicenna)

JamesBrenton
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Posted 05/01/08 - 07:18 PM:	#6
TecnoTut wrote: Are you asking for the methodology of metaphysics? What tools and methods are available for a metaphysician? Simply asking what an example of "the epistemology of metaphysics" would be. One poster provided such, but it was not quite what I had expected-- to be honest with you. Elaborating on some of the finer points of what such an undertaking (the epistemology of metaphysics) [as a book] would mean. Brainstorming or comming up with ideas I don't know? Something similar to this is all.
_____________________ Yea, though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

JamesBrenton
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Posted 05/01/08 - 07:19 PM:	#7
I am also from Florida, btw.
_____________________ Yea, though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

TecnoTut
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Posted 05/02/08 - 07:56 AM:	#8
JamesBrenton wrote: Simply asking what an example of "the epistemology of metaphysics" would be. One poster provided such, but it was not quite what I had expected-- to be honest with you. Elaborating on some of the finer points of what such an undertaking (the epistemology of metaphysics) [as a book] would mean. Brainstorming or comming up with ideas I don't know? Something similar to this is all. You're going to have the be more clear. The subject matter of epistemology is knowledge and its possiblity (do we have any kind of knowledge, and what is knowledge?). The subject matter of metaphysics is many things, but is not limited to the following: the nature of the mind, the nature of abstract objects (numbers, universals, properties, possible worlds), the existence of freewill, and the existence and nature of God. There are other fields, such as the philosophy of mathematics or the philosophy of law. Any philosophy of X, I treat as the epistemology and metaphysics of X. For example, the philosophy of mind deals with the ontology of mind (what is the mind?) and the epistemology of mind (can we now other minds?). Or the philosophy of mathematics breaks down into the epistemology of mathematics (how do we know mathematical truths?) and the nature or ontology of mathematics (what are numbers?). But I have no idea what "the epistemology of metaphysics" could be. The only thing I can think of is you're concerned with questions asking "how do we know metaphysical or epistemological truths?" If so, then you're asking about the methodology of metaphysics and epistemology. The study of the methodology of philosophy is called metaphilosophy.
_____________________ He that dies pays all debts - Shakespeare's Stephano from The Tempest Truth is its own measure - Spinoza (contra Protagoras) Those who deny [Aristotle's] first principle should be flogged or burned until they admit that it is not the same thing to be burned and not burned, or whipped and not whipped. - Ibn Sina (Avicenna)

Simple Occam
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Posted 05/02/08 - 08:38 AM:	#9
Epistemology is normally quite concerned with the nature of metaphysical knowledge. Hume's critique of metaphysics is just that. And so is Kant's. Remember "A Prologomenon To Any Future Metaphysic"? The history of modern philosophy is preoccupied with turning rationalist metaphysics into epistemology. Don't ask what reality is. Ask what the idea of reality refers to or what the word "reality" means. So your project does not seem all that unique, frankly. What I would more like to see is the "metaphysics of epistemology"... something to show what part of reality knowledge is. To show how knowledge can be a thing in the world, alongside other things like chairs, trees or even brain parts. What kind of a thing is knowledge. Not just how can we recognize knowledge by reflecting on the relative certainty of various ideas.

JamesBrenton
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Posted 05/02/08 - 10:16 AM:	#10
You are right. I may not be being clear enough. I'll fix that shortly thanks guys!
_____________________ Yea, though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

JamesBrenton
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Posted 05/03/08 - 12:59 AM:	#11
The study of the methodology of philosophy is called metaphilosophy. I appericiate your ability to be concise but upon reaching the conclusion that my goal is in metaphilosophy, can I ask you what metaphilosophy means? The methodology of philosophy, or the study of the methodology... er.. methodology. I assume that to mean meathod. The study of the meathodology of philosophy is called metaphilosophy okay now we're on more solid ground here. Let's see. I would assume there to be quite a bit more work to be done in the various fields such as metaphilosophy and the philosophizing of philosophy or some such. For example. Why is metaphysial truth so important to us? Why are we all forced to consider metaphysicial philosophys? Why is it that our generation is something that, in children, is changing the way we philosophize? What is the epistemology of metaphysics. One poster said quite frankly that my work is not new, that an epistemology of metaphysics if I have the correct wording from the friend is something that was done already by Immanuel Kant. His "Prologema" to any future metaphysics. His classifications and such. I am sure they are great I am not too interested in reading any of them. I have knowledge myself of what such would consist in so why would I need to read some lousy book to explain something to me that I will tear the faults up in? I am sorry, just giving ideas as to what I am looking for.
_____________________ Yea, though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

JamesBrenton
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Posted 05/03/08 - 01:06 AM:	#12
The study of the methodology of philosophy is called metaphilosophy. I appericiate your ability to be concise but upon reaching the conclusion that my goal is in metaphilosophy, can I ask you what metaphilosophy means? The methodology of philosophy, or the study of the methodology... er.. methodology. I assume that to mean meathod. The study of the meathodology of philosophy is called metaphilosophy okay now we're on more solid ground here. Let's see. I would assume there to be quite a bit more work to be done in the various fields such as metaphilosophy and the philosophizing of philosophy or some such. For example. Why is metaphysial truth so important to us? Why are we all forced to consider metaphysicial philosophys? Why is it that our generation is something that, in children, is changing the way we philosophize? What is the epistemology of metaphysics. One poster said quite frankly that my work is not new, that an epistemology of metaphysics if I have the correct wording from the friend is something that was done already by Immanuel Kant. His "Prologema" to any future metaphysics. His classifications and such. I am sure they are great I am not too interested in reading any of them. I have knowledge myself of what such would consist in so why would I need to read some lousy book to explain something to me that I will tear the faults up in? I am sorry, just giving ideas as to what I am looking for.
_____________________ Yea, though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

JamesBrenton
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Posted 05/03/08 - 01:07 AM:	#13
The study of the methodology of philosophy is called metaphilosophy. I appericiate your ability to be concise but upon reaching the conclusion that my goal is in metaphilosophy, can I ask you what metaphilosophy means? The methodology of philosophy, or the study of the methodology... er.. methodology. I assume that to mean meathod. The study of the meathodology of philosophy is called metaphilosophy okay now we're on more solid ground here. Let's see. I would assume there to be quite a bit more work to be done in the various fields such as metaphilosophy and the philosophizing of philosophy or some such. For example. Why is metaphysial truth so important to us? Why are we all forced to consider metaphysicial philosophys? Why is it that our generation is something that, in children, is changing the way we philosophize? What is the epistemology of metaphysics. One poster said quite frankly that my work is not new, that an epistemology of metaphysics if I have the correct wording from the friend is something that was done already by Immanuel Kant. His "Prologema" to any future metaphysics. His classifications and such. I
_____________________ Yea, though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

JamesBrenton
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Posted 05/03/08 - 01:07 AM:	#14
The study of the methodology of philosophy is called metaphilosophy. I appericiate your ability to be concise but upon reaching the conclusion that my goal is in metaphilosophy, can I ask you what metaphilosophy means? The methodology of philosophy, or the study of the methodology... er.. methodology. I assume that to mean meathod. The study of the meathodology of philosophy is called metaphilosophy okay now we're on more solid ground here. Let's see. I would assume there to be quite a bit more work to be done in the various fields such as metaphilosophy and the philosophizing of philosophy or some such. For example. Why is metaphysial truth so important to us? Why are we all forced to consider metaphysicial philosophys? Why is it that our generation is something that, in children, is changing the way we philosophize? What is the epistemology of metaphysics. One poster said quite frankly that my work is not new, that an epistemology of metaphysics if I have the correct wording from the friend is something that was done already by Immanuel Kant. His "Prologema" to any future metaphysics. His classifications and such. I am sure they are great I am not too interested in reading any of them. I have knowledge myself of what such would consist in so why would I need to read some lousy book to explain something to me that I will tear the faults up in? I am sorry, just giving ideas as to what I am looking for.
_____________________ Yea, though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

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