[MD] What is metaphysics to you?

[Matt Kundert]

As someone who holds down at least two part-time jobs (Rortyan and Pirsigian), though probably more (Fishian, Bloomian, etc.), I'm required by law to give two answers (though, sadly, there's no law that requires people to read the answers the same way I do).

1) Metaphysics is the general framework, or understanding, or set of assumptions, that people unconsciously (with various degrees of self-consciousness) interpret, or see, or live in the world.  As an activity, it is the attempt to make the unconscious self-conscious (this activity is also known in some circles as "philosophy").

2) Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that attempts to display the basic, universal, ahistorical underpinnings of reality (this activity is also sometimes known in some circles as "Platonism," and in a few circles the acronymic "SOM").

And, as I am wont to do, I have slotted everyone who has given an answer (or commented, before giving their own--against Magnus' rules, on someone else's) willy-nilly into two categories--

People who like the first definition: Arlo, Steve, SA, Dewey, Pirsig

People who like the second definition: Me (Matt), Magnus, Marsha, Ian, Plato, Rorty

According to the definitions, people who _do_ the first: Me (Matt), Marsha, Craig, Ian, Arlo, Steve, SA, Dewey, Pirsig, Rorty

According to the definitions, people who _do_ the second: Magnus, Plato

These capricious designations are, of course, subject to change, but they do highlight two things--

1) I don't really care what kind of definition people use for "metaphysics," so long as they read other people with care enough to consider we all may be using slightly idiosyncratic usages.

2) I find Magnus' distinction between an "understanding/model of the metaphysics" and "the metaphysics itself" to be troubling for an self-declared Pirsigian (as, I glean, others also feel).

Matt
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