Logical Positivism And The Absurdity Of Metaphysics
A SEMINAR PAPER ON LOGICAL POSITIVISM AND THE ABSURDITY OF METAPHYSICS
PRESENTED BY: AKOMOLAFE OLUWATOBA M.
MATRIC NO: 187189
COURSE CODE: PHI 702
COURSE TITLE: HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY
LECTURER IN CHARGE: Dr. Afolayan
LOGICAL POSITIVISM AND THE ABSURDITY OF
METAPHYSICS
NATURE OF METAPHYSICS
In everyday discourse, “Metaphysics” is at times given a derogative connotation. A view is termed metaphysical if it is abstract, speculative and seems not to have any direct bearing to everyday practical life. The way some philosophers have proceeded to explicate their views has actually given some credence to this postulation. Such philosophers have been too abstract and have never bothered to show the relevance of their views to day-to-day life. In truth, however, theory and practice, as well as the abstract and the concrete are related. A theory that does not point to practice is irrelevant and practice without theory is blind 1.
As a branch of philosophy, the word “Metaphysics” derives from two Greek words, “meta” which means “after” and “physika” which means “physics” (or nature). Thus the word metaphysics literally means “after physics” and it was first used by Andronicus of Rhodes, the editor of Aristotle’s works. Aristotle had some treatises on physical matters which bore the title, physics. He also had some other treatises dealing with non-physical matters, but without a title. In his arrangement of Aristotle’s works while editing them for publication, Andronicus placed the treatises dealing with non-physical matters, after those dealing with physical matters. He did not know what to call them; so he simply called them “after physics” – “metaphysika”. That is, the treatises that comes after those dealing with physical matters which bore the
PRESENTED BY: AKOMOLAFE OLUWATOBA M.
MATRIC NO: 187189
COURSE CODE: PHI 702
COURSE TITLE: HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY
LECTURER IN CHARGE: Dr. Afolayan
LOGICAL POSITIVISM AND THE ABSURDITY OF
METAPHYSICS
NATURE OF METAPHYSICS
In everyday discourse, “Metaphysics” is at times given a derogative connotation. A view is termed metaphysical if it is abstract, speculative and seems not to have any direct bearing to everyday practical life. The way some philosophers have proceeded to explicate their views has actually given some credence to this postulation. Such philosophers have been too abstract and have never bothered to show the relevance of their views to day-to-day life. In truth, however, theory and practice, as well as the abstract and the concrete are related. A theory that does not point to practice is irrelevant and practice without theory is blind 1.
As a branch of philosophy, the word “Metaphysics” derives from two Greek words, “meta” which means “after” and “physika” which means “physics” (or nature). Thus the word metaphysics literally means “after physics” and it was first used by Andronicus of Rhodes, the editor of Aristotle’s works. Aristotle had some treatises on physical matters which bore the title, physics. He also had some other treatises dealing with non-physical matters, but without a title. In his arrangement of Aristotle’s works while editing them for publication, Andronicus placed the treatises dealing with non-physical matters, after those dealing with physical matters. He did not know what to call them; so he simply called them “after physics” – “metaphysika”. That is, the treatises that comes after those dealing with physical matters which bore the