The Problem with being
Anti-Metaphysical
some antimetaphysical missteps
to which metaphysical critics are prone
see also: Some Metaphysical Missteps to which metaphysical enthusiasts are prone
The Illusion of Pure Pragmatism:
This illusion is the belief that practical actions and lived experiences alone are sufficient for understanding reality, dismissing the deeper insights that metaphysical thinking can provide about the nature of existence and the underlying structures of reality.
The Illusion of Historical Isolation:
This illusion occurs when one overlooks the influence of metaphysical ideas on historical developments, assuming that history unfolds purely through social, economic, or political forces without any guiding principles or deeper meanings.
The Illusion of Absolute Empiricism:
This illusion is the belief that all knowledge must come solely from empirical evidence and sensory experience, disregarding the role of abstract reasoning and conceptual frameworks in shaping our understanding of the world.
The Illusion that Ultimate Realities don't matter:
This illusion is the belief that only immediate, concrete experiences matter, ignoring the potential significance of broader, more abstract realities that might give deeper context and meaning to those experiences.
The Illusion of Relativism:
This illusion is the belief that because multiple perspectives exist, no single truth or ultimate reality can be identified, leading to a dismissal of any attempt to explore or understand underlying truths that might transcend individual viewpoints.
The Illusion of Anti-Conceptual Simplicity:
This illusion occurs when one assumes that avoiding metaphysical language or abstract thinking leads to clearer and more accurate communication, overlooking how conceptual frameworks often help clarify complex ideas and reveal deeper connections between different aspects of reality.
The Illusion that Clarity is Never Relevant:
This illusion is the belief that clarity in thought and expression is unnecessary or even counterproductive, disregarding the value of clear communication in fostering understanding, meaningful dialogue, and effective action, especially in complex or nuanced contexts.
The Illusion that Definitional Approaches are Irrelevant:
This illusion is the belief that defining terms and concepts is unnecessary or unimportant, overlooking how precise definitions can clarify understanding, guide inquiry, and facilitate effective communication, especially in complex or abstract discussions.
The Illusion that God is Irrelevant to a Consideration of Value:
This illusion is the belief that discussions of value can be entirely separated from considerations of God or the divine, overlooking how theological perspectives might deeply inform our understanding of what is valuable, meaningful, and good.
The Illusion that Any of Us Avoid Metaphysical Assumptions:
This illusion is the belief that one can completely avoid making metaphysical assumptions, ignoring the fact that everyone operates with some underlying assumptions about the nature of reality, even if they are implicit or unacknowledged.
The Illusion that Changes in Metaphysics Have No Relevance to Social Change:
This illusion is the belief that shifts in metaphysical thinking have no impact on social change, overlooking how changes in fundamental beliefs about reality can influence societal values, norms, and the direction of social movements.
The Illusion that Language Itself, Including Metaphysical Language, is Irrelevant:
This illusion is the belief that language, particularly metaphysical language, has no bearing on our understanding of reality, ignoring the powerful role language plays in shaping thought, framing concepts, and influencing how we perceive and interact with the world.
The Illusion that It is More Honest to Celebrate Incoherence than Coherence:
This illusion is the belief that embracing incoherence is a more honest approach to understanding reality, overlooking the value of coherence in creating meaningful, structured understanding and in facilitating effective communication and action.
This illusion is the belief that practical actions and lived experiences alone are sufficient for understanding reality, dismissing the deeper insights that metaphysical thinking can provide about the nature of existence and the underlying structures of reality.
The Illusion of Historical Isolation:
This illusion occurs when one overlooks the influence of metaphysical ideas on historical developments, assuming that history unfolds purely through social, economic, or political forces without any guiding principles or deeper meanings.
The Illusion of Absolute Empiricism:
This illusion is the belief that all knowledge must come solely from empirical evidence and sensory experience, disregarding the role of abstract reasoning and conceptual frameworks in shaping our understanding of the world.
The Illusion that Ultimate Realities don't matter:
This illusion is the belief that only immediate, concrete experiences matter, ignoring the potential significance of broader, more abstract realities that might give deeper context and meaning to those experiences.
The Illusion of Relativism:
This illusion is the belief that because multiple perspectives exist, no single truth or ultimate reality can be identified, leading to a dismissal of any attempt to explore or understand underlying truths that might transcend individual viewpoints.
The Illusion of Anti-Conceptual Simplicity:
This illusion occurs when one assumes that avoiding metaphysical language or abstract thinking leads to clearer and more accurate communication, overlooking how conceptual frameworks often help clarify complex ideas and reveal deeper connections between different aspects of reality.
The Illusion that Clarity is Never Relevant:
This illusion is the belief that clarity in thought and expression is unnecessary or even counterproductive, disregarding the value of clear communication in fostering understanding, meaningful dialogue, and effective action, especially in complex or nuanced contexts.
The Illusion that Definitional Approaches are Irrelevant:
This illusion is the belief that defining terms and concepts is unnecessary or unimportant, overlooking how precise definitions can clarify understanding, guide inquiry, and facilitate effective communication, especially in complex or abstract discussions.
The Illusion that God is Irrelevant to a Consideration of Value:
This illusion is the belief that discussions of value can be entirely separated from considerations of God or the divine, overlooking how theological perspectives might deeply inform our understanding of what is valuable, meaningful, and good.
The Illusion that Any of Us Avoid Metaphysical Assumptions:
This illusion is the belief that one can completely avoid making metaphysical assumptions, ignoring the fact that everyone operates with some underlying assumptions about the nature of reality, even if they are implicit or unacknowledged.
The Illusion that Changes in Metaphysics Have No Relevance to Social Change:
This illusion is the belief that shifts in metaphysical thinking have no impact on social change, overlooking how changes in fundamental beliefs about reality can influence societal values, norms, and the direction of social movements.
The Illusion that Language Itself, Including Metaphysical Language, is Irrelevant:
This illusion is the belief that language, particularly metaphysical language, has no bearing on our understanding of reality, ignoring the powerful role language plays in shaping thought, framing concepts, and influencing how we perceive and interact with the world.
The Illusion that It is More Honest to Celebrate Incoherence than Coherence:
This illusion is the belief that embracing incoherence is a more honest approach to understanding reality, overlooking the value of coherence in creating meaningful, structured understanding and in facilitating effective communication and action.