Metaphysics as the Science of the Possible

Miller, J.T.M.

Abstract

This chapter considers the view that a central concern of metaphysics is what is possible. That is, the idea is that, unlike science, metaphysics studies not only what is actual, but the ways that reality could be. This view, if right, provides metaphysics with a distinct subject matter from that of science, and, depending on what modal epistemology we adopt, a distinct methodology too. In this chapter, I first provide an overview of the view, before highlighting some of the most prominent objections, and possible routes of response.

Citation

Miller, J. (2020). Metaphysics as the Science of the Possible. In R. Bliss, & J. Miller (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Metametaphysics (480-491). Routledge

• Online Publication Date: Jul 14, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Deposit Date: Jul 29, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 14, 2022
• Publisher: Routledge
• Pages: 480-491
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Book Title: The Routledge Handbook of Metametaphysics.
• Chapter Number: 38
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1628044
• Publisher URL: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315112596-38/