Some Metaphysical Missteps
To which metaphysical enthusiasts are prone
Jay McDaniel
see also: The Problem with Being Anti-Metaphysical
The Illusion of Metaphysical Primacy:
This illusion arises when one thinks that the particulars of life—such as the way sunlight filters through the leaves of grass or the way a baby laughs in the immediacy of a moment—are significant primarily because they illustrate metaphysical principles. It suggests that these lived experiences are only valuable insofar as they reflect or support abstract, overarching concepts. Even process philosophers, who emphasize the importance of experience, can fall into the trap of elevating abstract concepts above the lived, immediate experiences that give life its richness. This contradicts the spirit of process philosophy, which values the concrete particularity of each moment and the intrinsic worth of experiences as they are lived, not just as they relate to metaphysical ideas.
The Illusion of Historical Deduction:
This illusion occurs when one believes that the unfolding of history, with all its messiness, unpredictabilities, and complexities, can be fully deduced from metaphysical principles. It involves expecting history to unfold in a manner that is consistent with certain metaphysical ideas, as if history is simply the realization of these abstract principles. This overlooks the dynamic, evolving nature of history that process thought itself champions, where novelty and unpredictability are essential aspects of reality. It also risks imposing a deterministic view on history, which contradicts the process philosophy emphasis on creativity, freedom, and the emergence of new possibilities.
The Illusion of Conceptual Mastery:
This illusion is the belief that things are truly "understood" only when they are understood through the lens of metaphysical principles. It suggests that metaphysical frameworks are the highest form of understanding, superior to other ways of knowing, such as personal experience or relational knowledge. However, this contradicts the process philosophy emphasis on the importance of lived experience and the relational nature of reality. True understanding, from a process perspective, comes from engaging with the world directly, through experience, relationships, and ongoing interaction, rather than reducing everything to abstract concepts.
The Illusion that Truth is Clear:
This illusion is the belief that metaphysical principles are rightly grasped only when they are presented in clear and unambiguous terms, and that "vagueness" or ambiguity is a fault. It assumes that truth should be precise and easily communicated, often at the expense of the complexity and indeterminacy that characterize real-life situations. However, process philosophy recognizes that reality itself is evolving, indeterminate, and often ambiguous. Vagueness is not a flaw but an intrinsic part of how reality unfolds, and the desire for absolute clarity can sometimes oversimplify or distort the richness of what is truly real.
The Illusion that Change Begins with Metaphysics:
This illusion suggests that changing the world for the better necessarily requires a new metaphysical framework. It implies that before any meaningful change can occur, people must first adopt a new way of thinking about the nature of reality. While process philosophy values metaphysics, it also recognizes that real change often comes through practical actions, ethical commitments, and relationships. This illusion overlooks the fact that transformation can and often does emerge from within existing frameworks, driven by lived experiences, community actions, and the ethical choices of individuals, rather than purely by intellectual shifts in metaphysical understanding.
The Illusion of a Single Ultimate Reality:
This illusion is the belief that there must be one definitive "ultimate" reality, a singular truth that underlies all of existence. It assumes that all experiences, perspectives, and realities must converge into one fundamental reality. This view can lead to an overly rigid or monolithic understanding of the world, where diversity and multiplicity are seen as obstacles to be overcome rather than as intrinsic aspects of reality. Process philosophy, with its emphasis on relationality and the multiplicity of experiences, suggests that reality might be pluralistic, with multiple, coexisting ultimate realities that are equally valid in different contexts or perspectives. This challenges the idea of a single, all-encompassing metaphysical truth and opens up the possibility of a more complex and multifaceted understanding of existence.
The Illusion that the "Ultimate" Matters More than the Immediate:
This illusion places the notion of an "ultimate reality" above the particular, everyday experiences that constitute life. It suggests that understanding or connecting with some higher, abstract reality is more important than engaging with the concrete details of daily life. This perspective can lead to the devaluation of the immediate, lived experiences that give life its texture and meaning, such as personal relationships, sensory experiences, and emotional responses. Process philosophy emphasizes the importance of the concrete and particular, seeing each moment as valuable in its own right, not just in relation to some higher reality. The richness of life is found in the immediate experiences that make up our daily existence, and these should not be overshadowed by the pursuit of abstract ultimates.
The Illusion of Thinking that God as the Sole Source of Value:
This illusion is the belief that all value in the world must originate from God, that God is the exclusive source of meaning, worth, and goodness. It suggests that without God, nothing can truly have value, leading to a potentially reductive view of the world. However, this perspective can overlook the ways in which value can emerge from various sources, such as human relationships, personal achievements, nature, art, and the intrinsic qualities of things themselves. Process philosophy recognizes that value is not solely dependent on a divine source but can arise independently from other aspects of existence. This view encourages a broader appreciation of the many ways in which value and meaning are created in the world, through the richness of experience and the intrinsic worth of all that exists.
The Illusion of Thinking that Prose is More Truthful than Poetry:
This illusion suggests that prose, with its straightforward, clear, and logical structure, is somehow more capable of conveying truth than poetry, which is often more abstract, emotional, and metaphorical. This perspective assumes that truth is best captured in direct, unambiguous statements, and that poetry’s tendency to use imagery, metaphor, and ambiguity makes it less reliable or truthful. However, this overlooks the unique power of poetry to convey truths that are not easily articulated in plain language. Poetry often captures the nuances, emotions, and complexities of human experience in ways that prose cannot. Process philosophy, which values the richness of experience and the interconnectedness of all things, would argue that poetry’s ability to express the depth and complexity of life is just as truthful, if not more so, than the clarity and precision of prose. The truth in poetry lies not in its directness, but in its ability to resonate with the lived experiences and emotions of individuals.
The Illusion of Thinking that Understanding Always Begins with Clear Definitions:
This illusion assumes that to truly understand something, one must first have a clear, precise definition of it. This belief prioritizes clarity and exactness as the starting points for knowledge, suggesting that without a well-defined concept, meaningful understanding cannot occur. However, this overlooks the reality that many aspects of life and experience are inherently vague, ambiguous, or complex, and cannot be neatly defined. In process philosophy, understanding often emerges through experience, relationships, and ongoing interactions, rather than through fixed definitions. The process of understanding is dynamic and evolving, much like reality itself. Often, our grasp of a concept or phenomenon deepens as we engage with it, rather than starting from a fixed definition. Ambiguity and vagueness are not necessarily obstacles to understanding; they can be fertile grounds for exploration and deeper insight.
The Illusion of Thinking that Truth Can Be Separated from Beauty and Goodness:
This illusion assumes that truth exists independently of beauty and goodness, that one can pursue and understand truth without any consideration of its aesthetic or moral dimensions. It implies that truth is purely a matter of factual correctness, logical consistency, or empirical verification, and that beauty (aesthetic value) and goodness (moral value) are separate realms that have little to do with the nature of truth itself. However, this perspective overlooks the deep interconnectedness of truth, beauty, and goodness, often referred to as the "transcendentals" in philosophy. In many philosophical traditions, including process philosophy, these three are seen as interrelated aspects of reality that cannot be fully understood in isolation from one another. From a process perspective, truth is not just about accurate representation of facts or logical consistency but also about how those truths resonate with our sense of beauty and goodness. A theory or belief may be more likely to be true if it also aligns with our aesthetic sensibilities or moral intuitions. Conversely, something that is ugly or morally repugnant may prompt us to question whether it can truly be considered "true" in the fullest sense. Process philosophy suggests that truth is always embedded within contexts of beauty and goodness, and the pursuit of truth is not just an intellectual endeavor but also a moral and aesthetic one, where the three transcendental values are inseparable.
The Illusion of Finality of statement:
This illusion is the belief that once a metaphysical perspective has been articulated, it represents the definitive and final understanding of the nature of reality, with no need for further questioning or development. It assumes that the complexities of existence can be fully captured in a single, comprehensive statement, thereby closing the door to new insights, interpretations, or growth. This perspective runs counter to the process philosophy view, which emphasizes the ongoing, dynamic nature of reality and the idea that understanding is always evolving. Reality is seen as an ever-unfolding process, meaning that any statement about it is provisional, open to revision, and never truly final.
This illusion arises when one thinks that the particulars of life—such as the way sunlight filters through the leaves of grass or the way a baby laughs in the immediacy of a moment—are significant primarily because they illustrate metaphysical principles. It suggests that these lived experiences are only valuable insofar as they reflect or support abstract, overarching concepts. Even process philosophers, who emphasize the importance of experience, can fall into the trap of elevating abstract concepts above the lived, immediate experiences that give life its richness. This contradicts the spirit of process philosophy, which values the concrete particularity of each moment and the intrinsic worth of experiences as they are lived, not just as they relate to metaphysical ideas.
The Illusion of Historical Deduction:
This illusion occurs when one believes that the unfolding of history, with all its messiness, unpredictabilities, and complexities, can be fully deduced from metaphysical principles. It involves expecting history to unfold in a manner that is consistent with certain metaphysical ideas, as if history is simply the realization of these abstract principles. This overlooks the dynamic, evolving nature of history that process thought itself champions, where novelty and unpredictability are essential aspects of reality. It also risks imposing a deterministic view on history, which contradicts the process philosophy emphasis on creativity, freedom, and the emergence of new possibilities.
The Illusion of Conceptual Mastery:
This illusion is the belief that things are truly "understood" only when they are understood through the lens of metaphysical principles. It suggests that metaphysical frameworks are the highest form of understanding, superior to other ways of knowing, such as personal experience or relational knowledge. However, this contradicts the process philosophy emphasis on the importance of lived experience and the relational nature of reality. True understanding, from a process perspective, comes from engaging with the world directly, through experience, relationships, and ongoing interaction, rather than reducing everything to abstract concepts.
The Illusion that Truth is Clear:
This illusion is the belief that metaphysical principles are rightly grasped only when they are presented in clear and unambiguous terms, and that "vagueness" or ambiguity is a fault. It assumes that truth should be precise and easily communicated, often at the expense of the complexity and indeterminacy that characterize real-life situations. However, process philosophy recognizes that reality itself is evolving, indeterminate, and often ambiguous. Vagueness is not a flaw but an intrinsic part of how reality unfolds, and the desire for absolute clarity can sometimes oversimplify or distort the richness of what is truly real.
The Illusion that Change Begins with Metaphysics:
This illusion suggests that changing the world for the better necessarily requires a new metaphysical framework. It implies that before any meaningful change can occur, people must first adopt a new way of thinking about the nature of reality. While process philosophy values metaphysics, it also recognizes that real change often comes through practical actions, ethical commitments, and relationships. This illusion overlooks the fact that transformation can and often does emerge from within existing frameworks, driven by lived experiences, community actions, and the ethical choices of individuals, rather than purely by intellectual shifts in metaphysical understanding.
The Illusion of a Single Ultimate Reality:
This illusion is the belief that there must be one definitive "ultimate" reality, a singular truth that underlies all of existence. It assumes that all experiences, perspectives, and realities must converge into one fundamental reality. This view can lead to an overly rigid or monolithic understanding of the world, where diversity and multiplicity are seen as obstacles to be overcome rather than as intrinsic aspects of reality. Process philosophy, with its emphasis on relationality and the multiplicity of experiences, suggests that reality might be pluralistic, with multiple, coexisting ultimate realities that are equally valid in different contexts or perspectives. This challenges the idea of a single, all-encompassing metaphysical truth and opens up the possibility of a more complex and multifaceted understanding of existence.
The Illusion that the "Ultimate" Matters More than the Immediate:
This illusion places the notion of an "ultimate reality" above the particular, everyday experiences that constitute life. It suggests that understanding or connecting with some higher, abstract reality is more important than engaging with the concrete details of daily life. This perspective can lead to the devaluation of the immediate, lived experiences that give life its texture and meaning, such as personal relationships, sensory experiences, and emotional responses. Process philosophy emphasizes the importance of the concrete and particular, seeing each moment as valuable in its own right, not just in relation to some higher reality. The richness of life is found in the immediate experiences that make up our daily existence, and these should not be overshadowed by the pursuit of abstract ultimates.
The Illusion of Thinking that God as the Sole Source of Value:
This illusion is the belief that all value in the world must originate from God, that God is the exclusive source of meaning, worth, and goodness. It suggests that without God, nothing can truly have value, leading to a potentially reductive view of the world. However, this perspective can overlook the ways in which value can emerge from various sources, such as human relationships, personal achievements, nature, art, and the intrinsic qualities of things themselves. Process philosophy recognizes that value is not solely dependent on a divine source but can arise independently from other aspects of existence. This view encourages a broader appreciation of the many ways in which value and meaning are created in the world, through the richness of experience and the intrinsic worth of all that exists.
The Illusion of Thinking that Prose is More Truthful than Poetry:
This illusion suggests that prose, with its straightforward, clear, and logical structure, is somehow more capable of conveying truth than poetry, which is often more abstract, emotional, and metaphorical. This perspective assumes that truth is best captured in direct, unambiguous statements, and that poetry’s tendency to use imagery, metaphor, and ambiguity makes it less reliable or truthful. However, this overlooks the unique power of poetry to convey truths that are not easily articulated in plain language. Poetry often captures the nuances, emotions, and complexities of human experience in ways that prose cannot. Process philosophy, which values the richness of experience and the interconnectedness of all things, would argue that poetry’s ability to express the depth and complexity of life is just as truthful, if not more so, than the clarity and precision of prose. The truth in poetry lies not in its directness, but in its ability to resonate with the lived experiences and emotions of individuals.
The Illusion of Thinking that Understanding Always Begins with Clear Definitions:
This illusion assumes that to truly understand something, one must first have a clear, precise definition of it. This belief prioritizes clarity and exactness as the starting points for knowledge, suggesting that without a well-defined concept, meaningful understanding cannot occur. However, this overlooks the reality that many aspects of life and experience are inherently vague, ambiguous, or complex, and cannot be neatly defined. In process philosophy, understanding often emerges through experience, relationships, and ongoing interactions, rather than through fixed definitions. The process of understanding is dynamic and evolving, much like reality itself. Often, our grasp of a concept or phenomenon deepens as we engage with it, rather than starting from a fixed definition. Ambiguity and vagueness are not necessarily obstacles to understanding; they can be fertile grounds for exploration and deeper insight.
The Illusion of Thinking that Truth Can Be Separated from Beauty and Goodness:
This illusion assumes that truth exists independently of beauty and goodness, that one can pursue and understand truth without any consideration of its aesthetic or moral dimensions. It implies that truth is purely a matter of factual correctness, logical consistency, or empirical verification, and that beauty (aesthetic value) and goodness (moral value) are separate realms that have little to do with the nature of truth itself. However, this perspective overlooks the deep interconnectedness of truth, beauty, and goodness, often referred to as the "transcendentals" in philosophy. In many philosophical traditions, including process philosophy, these three are seen as interrelated aspects of reality that cannot be fully understood in isolation from one another. From a process perspective, truth is not just about accurate representation of facts or logical consistency but also about how those truths resonate with our sense of beauty and goodness. A theory or belief may be more likely to be true if it also aligns with our aesthetic sensibilities or moral intuitions. Conversely, something that is ugly or morally repugnant may prompt us to question whether it can truly be considered "true" in the fullest sense. Process philosophy suggests that truth is always embedded within contexts of beauty and goodness, and the pursuit of truth is not just an intellectual endeavor but also a moral and aesthetic one, where the three transcendental values are inseparable.
The Illusion of Finality of statement:
This illusion is the belief that once a metaphysical perspective has been articulated, it represents the definitive and final understanding of the nature of reality, with no need for further questioning or development. It assumes that the complexities of existence can be fully captured in a single, comprehensive statement, thereby closing the door to new insights, interpretations, or growth. This perspective runs counter to the process philosophy view, which emphasizes the ongoing, dynamic nature of reality and the idea that understanding is always evolving. Reality is seen as an ever-unfolding process, meaning that any statement about it is provisional, open to revision, and never truly final.