[MD] What is metaphysics to you?

[David M]

DM: Sounds about right.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matt Kundert" <pirsigaffliction at hotmail.com>
To: <moq_discuss at moqtalk.org>
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 2:01 AM
Subject: Re: [MD] What is metaphysics to you?




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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