Meaning of antimetaphysicalism | Babel Free

Definitions

The denial of any metaphysics that is not grounded in science and positivism.

uncountable

Examples

“Thus, the theory of history served as a powerful pragmatic reinforcement, in Comte's scheme, for the epistemological premises of positivism—relentless phenomenalism, antimetaphysicalism, and unitarian hierarchy of knowledge.”

“Wolin does not treat⟳ Kristeller, but we can add⟳ Kristeller's case to the list; although Kristeller refrained from extended critique and self-indulgent consideration of the Heidegger problem, Kristeller's rationalist project was in effect a rebuttal in practice of Heidegger's antimetaphysicalism.”

“Antimetaphysicalism dated back to Hume, who, in his celebrated Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, declares: When we run⟳ over libraries... if we take⟳ in our hand any volume; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let⟳ us ask⟳, Does it contain⟳ any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number⟳? No. Does it contain⟳ any experimental reasoning concerning matter⟳ of fact and existence? No. Commit it then to the flames: for it can contain⟳ nothing but sophistry and illusion.”

CEFR level