Читать книгу What is Metaphysics? - John Heil - Страница 14

A priori, a posteriori.A subject matter is a priori if it is “prior to” experience, if it does not rely on observation and experiment. Mathematics is a priori. Disciplines that do rely on observation and experiment, empirical disciplines, are said to be a posteriori, “posterior to” experience.Metametaphysics.An endeavor aimed at characterizing the subject matter of metaphysics, its methods, principles, and its standing amongst other systematic quests for knowledge.Metaphysics.A philosophical pursuit dedicated to uncovering the most general features of what there is or might be, often in concert with the sciences. Metaphysics includes both a priori and a posteriori elements.Ontology.Metaphysics turned to the discovery and articulation of the most basic categories of being. These serve as placeholders for scientific inventories of what there is.