Examining Philosophy Itself

This book explores metaphilosophical issues such as the progress of philosophy, the meaning of metaphysical claims, the aim of philosophy, the replacement of analytic metaphysics with naturalized metaphysics, the prospect of a digital approach to philosophy of science, and the role of poetry in philosophy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2023
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

One of the most distinctive features of philosophy is its self-reflection. Philosophers are not only concerned with metaphysical, epistemological, conceptual, ethical, and aesthetic issues of the things around us; they also pay serious attention to the nature, value, methods, and development of philosophy itself. This book examines some of the most important metaphilosophical issues:

Is philosophy progressive? Are metaphysical claims meaningful? What is the aim of philosophy? Should analytic metaphysics be replaced by naturalised metaphysics? What is the prospect of a digital approach to philosophy of science? Can poetry play a substantial role in philosophy?

These questions are central to the study of philosophy and have been debated by scholars for centuries. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of these issues, drawing on insights from a range of philosophical traditions, including analytic, continental, and postmodern philosophy.

The first chapter explores the question of whether philosophy is progressive. The author argues that while philosophy has made significant progress in understanding the world, it still faces many challenges, such as the problem of evil and the nature of consciousness. The chapter also discusses the role of philosophy in shaping public policy and social change.

The second chapter examines the meaning of metaphysical claims. The author argues that metaphysical claims are not merely speculative but can be meaningful and useful in understanding the world. The chapter also discusses the challenges of metaphysical reasoning, such as the problem of induction and the nature of causality.

The third chapter explores the aim of philosophy. The author argues that the aim of philosophy is not simply to describe the world but to improve our understanding of it. The chapter also discusses the role of philosophy in shaping our moral and ethical values.

The fourth chapter examines the question of whether analytic metaphysics should be replaced by naturalised metaphysics. The author argues that while naturalised metaphysics has some advantages, it also has some limitations, such as the difficulty of explaining the nature of consciousness. The chapter also discusses the prospect of a digital approach to philosophy of science.

The fifth chapter explores the role of poetry in philosophy. The author argues that poetry can be a powerful tool for philosophical inquiry and can help us to understand the world in new and innovative ways. The chapter also discusses the challenges of using poetry in philosophy, such as the difficulty of translating poetic language into philosophical prose.

The sixth chapter examines the prospect of a digital approach to philosophy of science. The author argues that digital technology has the potential to transform the way we approach philosophy of science and can help us to better understand the nature of scientific inquiry. The chapter also discusses the challenges of using digital technology in philosophy of science, such as the difficulty of maintaining the integrity of scientific research.

In conclusion, Examining Philosophy Itself is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students in philosophy. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of some of the most important metaphilosophical issues and draws on insights from a range of philosophical traditions. The book will be of interest to anyone who is interested in the study of philosophy and the broader field of intellectual inquiry.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 230 x 168 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781394160716