International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue V, May 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

A Critique of ‘The Criticisms against Metaphysics’ (Perspective essay)

Elvis Omondi Kauka
Department of Educational Foundations, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Abstract: This essay examines selected sentiments against Metaphysics by tracing different criticisms against metaphysics, and subsequently presents rebuttals against each anti-metaphysics argument. Auguste Compte(1798-1857AD) is herein viewed as among the first philosophers to systematically critique metaphysics with an extrapolation towards positive epistemology or empirical Science. The essay further observes that systematic critique of metaphysics by Comte led to a vehement affirmation of Science by a group of thinkers known as Positivists and logical positivist. They constricted epistemology by classifying knowledge into analytic and synthetic. Any proposition outside the dichotomy of Analytics and Synthetic such as metaphysics is consequently labeled by them as ‘meaningless’ chatter. The essay also presents en passant the internal strife of a section of Metaphysicians who oppose traditional metaphysics by appealing to a more empirical metaphysics. The peak of anti-metaphysics is discussed under Scientism which tends towards emotional and near cultic hatred towards metaphysics and Philosophy in general.  The zenith of this essay is the systematic rebuttal of the anti-metaphysics sentiments using the CONPiTT criteria of Science. The criteria exclude anti-metaphysics sentiments from the real empirical Science; neither does it affirm them as philosophical.  The final inference is expressed in the last section in which Anti-metaphysicism should be viewed as an erroneous metaphysics and a romanticisation of empirical Science.

INTRODUCTION

The term metaphysics (beyond physical reality) can either refer to the rational investigation of nonmaterial entities or the examination of the nonmaterial substratum of material entities. It asserts itself as Philosophy in its purest form because its concerns, methods and aims are rational and speculative. Aristotelian conception of metaphysics as first philosophy or ‘Philosophia prima’  is based on the same reason of it being rational and academic. The broader world of Metaphysics is divided into ontology (the study of being), cosmology (the rational study of the physical universe) theodicy ( the investigation into the existence and the nature of God) and rational psychology (the investigation into the relationship between the body and the soul). While many Philosophers appreciate metaphysics for its crucial role in intellectual discourse, some thinkers believe that metaphysics is a dead discipline or at least it is on the verge of its death. Auguste Comte, the Positivists and the Naturalistic metaphysicians are among the ardent critics of metaphysics.