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Critical Commonsensism in Contemporary Metaphysics

Forbes, Graeme A (2021) Critical Commonsensism in Contemporary Metaphysics. In: Talisse, Robert and Reyes Cárdenas, Paniel and Herbert, Daniel, eds. Pragmatic Reason: Christopher Hookway and the American Philosophical Tradition. Studies in American Philosophy series . Routledge, New York, NY. (Submitted) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:92053)

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Abstract

I aim to sketch a view of a methodology for metaphysics, suggested by Hookway's reading of C.S. Peirce, that allows one to hold realist metaphysical views. It is named for Peirce’s ‘Critical Commonsensism’, and uses pragmatic transcendental arguments to defend realism about non-optional basic commitments, e.g. inquiry and agency. It is critical because we are entitled to hope that the presuppositions of our most basic non-optional commitments obtain, and commonsensical because we begin with our current practices and proceed with anti-sceptical fallibilism.

I consider a number of objections to the proposed methodology, including concerns associated with our identification of presuppositions, with the basic non-optional commitments they are presuppositions of, and the community who are so committed. These questions, I will claim, are open to empirical and anthropological investigation, but can begin with careful observation of human practices of agency and inquiry. I will defend the view we end up with as realist, against concerns it lacks the appropriate humility, and against the quietist position that one can make such presuppositions without engendering metaphysical commitments.

Item Type: Book section
Uncontrolled keywords: Philosophy, Pragmatism, Metaphysics, Common Sense
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > Department of Philosophy
Depositing User: Graeme Forbes
Date Deposited: 05 Dec 2021 13:05 UTC
Last Modified: 07 Nov 2022 16:41 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/92053 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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