#987 Tuomas Tahko: Meta-Metaphysics, Fundamentality, and the Building Blocks of Reality

Aug 30, 2024

Tuomas Tahko, a Professor of Metaphysics of Science at the University of Bristol, delves into the fascinating realm of meta-metaphysics. He elucidates how this field distinguishes itself from traditional metaphysics and examines the connections to epistemology and philosophy of science. Tahko explores the nature of reality versus perception, emphasizing the distinction between mind-independent entities and their implications. He also considers the concepts of fundamental kinds and the philosophical significance of grounding and essence, all while drawing on ideas from Kant and Plato's allegory of the cave.

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INSIGHT

What Meta‑Metaphysics Studies

Meta-metaphysics studies how metaphysics is done, focusing on methodology and epistemology.
It asks how we acquire knowledge about fundamental reality and how metaphysics relates to science and other disciplines.

INSIGHT

Metaphysics And Epistemology Intertwined

Metaphysics and epistemology are two sides of the same coin and presuppose each other.
Your view of what exists (mind-dependent vs mind-independent) shapes how you think we can know it.

INSIGHT

Ontology Versus Metaphysics

Ontology is narrower: it asks what exists; metaphysics is broader and may include free will and categories.
Metaontology is a narrower analogue to meta-metaphysics focused on ontological method.

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Dr. Tuomas Tahko is Professor of Metaphysics of Science at the University of Bristol. He specializes in contemporary analytic metaphysics, with an emphasis on methodological and epistemic issues: “meta-metaphysics”. He also works at the interface of metaphysics and philosophy of science: “metaphysics of science”. Broader research interests include issues in epistemology, philosophical logic, philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, and history of philosophy.

In this episode, we talk about meta-metaphysics. We first discuss what it is, and how it relates to metaphysics. We talk about the differences between metaphysics and ontology, the different ways of conceptualizing reality, what mind-independence means, and realist and anti-realist positions in meta-metaphysics. We then go through concepts in meta-metaphysics like substances and properties; substance ontology and process ontology; a “first philosophy”; minimal truthmakers; natural kinds; fundamentality; foundationalism; essence, ground, and modality; and structure. Finally, we discuss whether there are any building blocks to reality.

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