[MD] What is metaphysics to you?

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Steve]
Are these assumptions different in nature than the sorts of dogmatic 
claims made by religions?

[Arlo]
These assumptions lead man to "religion" or "science" depending on 
their nature. They are foundational to both, so yes, they share that 
nature. These two are not exhaustive, however. I'd add "mysticism" to 
this list as well. And most "-ologies" and "-osophies" as well.

[Steve]
Are these statements about metaphysics themselves "core assumptions"?

[Arlo]
All statements about metaphysics are self-referential, and therefore 
unavoidably contain paradoxical and recursion. Every "back up" in our 
analysis requires new footing. Eventually there is nothing to stand 
on. We have two options. Accept the underlying Incompleteness and try 
to talk metaphysics using metaphors that are essentially recursive, 
or back up into the Void where there is no words.

In Maus, Art Spiegelman reflects that while Samuel Beckett did in 
fact say "Every word is like an unnecessary stain on silence and 
nothingness. On the other hand, he did say it."