Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 244 | Katie Elliott on Metaphysics, Chance, and Explanation
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Jul 24, 2023 Katie Elliott, a philosopher at Brandeis University specializing in metaphysics, discusses the intriguing intersections of metaphysics and science. She explains how metaphysical concepts illuminate our understanding of time travel, causation, and free will versus determinism. Elliott breaks down counterfactuals and their role in shaping possible worlds while exploring how these ideas challenge our perceptions of reality. The conversation also touches on the implications of quantum mechanics for decision-making, leaving listeners pondering the complexities of rationality and existence.
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What is Metaphysics?
- Metaphysics studies what exists and the relationships of fundamentality.
- It explores the full reality, not just specific aspects like science.
Metaphysics and Science
- Metaphysics uses scientific inquiry to understand what exists.
- It examines science's preconditions to reveal the nature of reality.
Metaphysics vs. Physics
- Metaphysics explores broader questions than physics, examining necessary aspects of reality.
- Physics, conversely, focuses on contingent aspects and specific laws.