Phi club IPFW Ioan Muntean

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Overview

About a divorce: metaphysics and current science About a possible convergence Example: the role of spacetime in metaphysics Does all hell break loose? Metaphysical digressions on dimensionality Optimistic promissory note and three projects on

convergence

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Science and metaphysics? Analytic metaphysics is in resurgence. What is the relationship between the new analytic

metaphysics and current science? Option 1: things are far more complicated than in

Carnap’s years on both sides. Their relationship is in shambles

Option 2 (and my argument): a new type of relationship is possible, more reconciliatory, call it “convergence”

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Bad news: A marriage in hell 20th century science has started with a distrust in

metaphysics Philosophy of science was born right from the divorce

between metaphysics and scientific method How can they become reconciliatory? Convergence? No way!

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Bad News (2): No commonalities The incommensurability position Science does not share the same language with

metaphysics, so there is no real disagreement They talk past each other

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Post-modern ennui: “so what?” In the 20th century science have talked less about

existence or about fundamental entities Science is more pragmatic, based on intervention

The thrill is gone Therefore:

1 science cannot contribute to metaphysics 2 metaphysics cannot inform science

“so much the worse for metaphysics” (P. Maddy, T. Maudlin, J. Ladyman)

“so much the worse for science”

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A “so much the worse” quote “Fiber bundles have their own, interesting structure, a

structure that does not correspond to the traditional philosophical vocabulary. Instead of a rearguard operation in defense of the old philosophical tradition, philosophers would do best to try to understand the structure in their own terms. If they do not translate well into the categories in which philosophical debates have taken place, so much the worse for the philosophical debates.” (Maudlin 2007)

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Do metaphysicians retort? Foundationalism:

No special science can arrogate to itself the task of rendering mutually consistent the various partial portraits: that task can alone belong to an overarching science of being, that is ontology (Lowe 2006).

“Our practical grasp of this logic is not to be called into question on account of recondite physics. A physicists who casts doubt upon it is sawing off the branch he sits upon” (Geach, 1972, 304, my emphasis)

Conceptual analysis. Concepts such as identity, necessity, causation, essence, counterfactuals, space and time are all metaphysical. We need conceptual analysis (F. Jackson, N. Markosian, J. Kim)

Argument from modality. Modal properties should supervene on the nonmodal properties. (L.A. Paul 2004, 172)

Argument for commonsense. Metaphysics is an internal affair of philosophy and it is orthogonal to science. The metaphysician is able to marshal strong and plausible commonsense intuitions to support her view.

Argument from pessimistic metainduction: all sciences, even the most advanced, have been proven to be false. Why should we trust our current science?

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“The division of labor” Metaphysics is about something else “[...] about the most explanatorily basic necessities and

possibilities. Metaphysics is about what could be and what must be. Except incidentally, metaphysics is not about explanatorily ultimate aspects of reality that are actual.” (Conee and Sider, 2005)

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More bad news to come (3): clashes, Sturm und Drang The reformation move: science should inform are

reform (radically, if necessary) metaphysics Science scorns metaphysics: metaphysics is the

handmaid of science Metaphysics scorns sciences: “why should we believe

science”? Similar to the pessimistic meta-induction. Forget about science: metaphysics is forever

Any attempt to find a common ground would totally damage them

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The destructive debates (textbook examples) The impact of special relativity on the debate between

endurantism/perdurantism or tense /tenseless theories of time The impact of general relativity on the debate between

substantivalism/relationalism theories of space(time) Quantum mechanics and its impact on identity and individuation of

particles Quantum mechanics and its impact on

the part-whole relation principle of recombination (a la Lewis)

Interpretations of quantum mechanics and principles of modality (mainly Many Worlds Interpretation of QM)

Holism in physics (interpretation of gauge theories) and its impact on metaphysics

Add your preferred debate between metaphysics and science here _____________________

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Real debates: modalities and QM

Do physicists (especially Everettians) build different type of modalities than metaphysicians? Physical modalities are different than metaphysical

modalities so back to the “division of labor” attitude. The superposition rule of composition does not generate

new possible worlds There is a new sense of modality in Everettian QM

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Underdetermination of metaphysics by science(s)

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Science involved in metaphysics? Metaphysical statements can be tested by science

(Hawley, 2005) Witness that mature/full-fledged and empirically

confirmed sciences are needed (Some) empirically confirmed theories may have some

bearings on metaphysics In respect of other, more suspicious scientific theories,

adopt the : wait-and-see attitude (or the “Greek chorus” attitude)

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Better news: possible convergence Some scientific theories are partially interpreted

Especially those parts of science with are not yet mature, full-fledged theories

Metaphysics can help in interpreting science Possible convergence? Is Quine’s prophecy that science

and metaphysics will end up “on a par” fulfilled? I would say no, we’re far from it, if ever, if any

convergence is possible

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The bad “why” questions in science

See Kepler’s explanation of the planetary system Why are there n=9(8?) planets in the solar system?

He looked for necessity in the wrong place and took contingency for necessity

There is no “deep metaphysics” of the solar/planetary system The same in the case of the “deep metaphysics” of light

(Goethe etc) Is the question about the shape of spacetime that wrong-

headed? I argue that some questions about spacetime are not Kepler-

like

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The superficiality issue For some, some debates in metaphysics are purely

verbal: Endurantism-perdurantism A-theorist-B-theorists Nihilist-non-nihilists Possibilists-actualists

Some debates in science are merely verbal, too. Some questions seem settled forever and in fact they

are not

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What do I want to add to existing debates? My discussion is centred on questions about the shape of

spacetime in metaphysics What is the role of spacetime in metaphysics?

None? Not important?

Other existing discussions: Modality (for example, give an scientific interpretation of the

Lewisian “disconnected spacetime” concept used in the possible world metaphysics)

Branching spacetimes The general covariance of spacetime and the similarity

relation a la Lewis (T. Maudlin)

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Good old fashioned metaphysics of space Descartes

matter=extension individuation of matter = spatial separation.

Newton (De Gravitatione) “space has its own manner of existence which fits neither substances.,

nor accidents” (Newtonians): space is the only principle of individuation. Spatial

separation makes two identical bodies different (contra Leibniz) Kant

space has its own reality (Inaugural Dissertation) the post-Kantians: Space and time (not spacetime) were the principium

individuationis In Einstein’s relativity: a non-null spatio-temporal separation is a

sufficient condition for individuation (separability) In quantum mechanics, this does not happen at all (e.g. photons)

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Science and metaphysics, again The relation between the “new analytic metaphysics”

and contemporary science Several approaches:

Historical approach “Division of labor” approach The new scientism (Maudlin, Ladyman, Van Fraassen) Similarities (LA Paul, P. Godfrey-Smith) Differences (Ladyman, Maudlin, present paper)

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Aims of this project

Focus on differences, not on similarities Metaphysical modality is essentially different than

scientific modality At the core, there is a difference in representation and

“theory” choice, albeit the language is similar Differences are as useful as analogies and help the

advancement of metaphysics. It is an argument in metaphysics methodology and its

resemblance to scientific methodology

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What is the “new metaphysics”?

Chronologically, comes after Naming and Necessity Conceptually, originates in Lewis, Armstrong The new systematic metaphysics orients itself towards

modality and existence The new analytic metaphysics is not centered on ordinary

language, but on the practice of philosophy itself A “newer new analytic metaphysics” is at the horizon:

Grounding (Schaffer) Fundamentalism Back to language? Sider Meta-metaphysic-sy projects

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Strong antinaturalism

Metaphysics Science

The possible

The necessary

The actual

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Weak antinaturalism: overlapping

The possible

The necessary

The actual

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Division of Labor

Division of Labor: metaphysics charts the domain of objective possibility through reason; science explores actual reality through empirical methods.

“Metaphysics deals in possibilities’’(E. J. Lowe) C. Callender (about the division of labor): “… whereas scientists

excavate dusty field sites and mix potions in laboratories to tell us which states of affairs are actual, metaphysicians are concerned with what is and isn’t metaphysically possible.”

“Metaphysics is after something bigger and more abstract, the structure of metaphysical modality. What it investigates can tell us about the actual world, but only ‘incidentally’ because the actual world is one possible world of many”

Modal truth is different than truth based on evidence 25

Old fashioned scientism

Russell: make philosophy look more “exact” Make it look like mathematics or science. Modality and certainty: “Philosophy diminishes our feeling of certainty as to

what things are, but greatly increases our knowledge as to what they may be”. Russell

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The new scientism

New scientism: In the light of contemporary theories in physics, metaphysicians need to reform their fundamental ontology.

Van Fraassen, Ladyman&Ross&Spurrett, Maudlin

Science is not only a supply of counterexamples to metaphysics

But the source of change and progress in metaphysics

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Some reconciliatory projects

A. Do not aim to reform metaphysics, but inform it scientifically: French, Callender: “metaphysics is best when informed by good science, and science is best when informed by good metaphysics”;

B. (Re)situate metaphysics in meta-science C. Find similarities between science and metaphysics D. Find differences and show they are central to both science and

metaphysics E. (Re)situate science in meta-metaphysics I argue here that D and E are more attractive than C B. is well-explored in the philosophy of science (Friedman) A. is vague 28

A. Informing metaphysics

Metaphysical statements can be tested by science (Hawley, 2005)

Metaphysics is underdetermined by sciences (French, 2009)

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B. Metaphysics and meta-science

Metaphysics is meta-science Friedman: “the philosophical articulation of what we

might call metaparadigms or meta-frameworks for revolutionary science capable of motivating and sustaining the transition to a new scientific paradigm.’’

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C. Similarity

Some similarities. They may share: I. their subject-matter: the mind-independent reality II. (some) ideals: simplicity, unification, expressibility, symmetry,

etc. III. (some) methods: IBE, modeling (LA Paul, P. Godfrey-Smith) IV. (some) concepts: causation, laws, necessity, possibility,

structure, realism The “strong resemblance” view: keep I (perhaps, partially, II-IV) “Weak resemblance view”: reject I, but accept II, III or IV and other combinations I focus here on a weak resemblance view that keeps III and IV

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I. The science-metaphysics continuum

For Humeans, metaphysics and science are part of the “best systematization of the world” (Callender)

“we can treat metaphysical claims as parts of the Best Theory that are more abstract and distantly related to experiment than the bulk of the theory, that is, science.” (Callender 2011 47)

Callender: modalities are not independent of scientific modalities

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II. Scientific theories and metaphysical doctrines They try to explain and unify They aim to simplicity They explain (Sider 2009); metaphysicians even use

the inference to the best explanation for genuine modal realism (Shalkowski 2010)

They both use underdetermination (but this is controversial in metaphysics, Ladyman 2012)

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III. Modeling in science and metaphysics

metaphysics and science share the same method, (but not the same subject matter)

They both build models: LA Paul, P. Godfrey-Smith They use confirmation: ordinary experience plays the

role of experimental data in metaphysics

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Models in science

The simplified view: (P. Godfrey Smith, St French&Costa) a model is a set of objects and relations among them They act as interpreting structures for a mathematical theory

A theory is true when there is an partial or total isomorphism between the model and the world

Models uses abstracts and idealization: In building models, scientists ignore aspects of the world

and structures of the theory. Scientists do incorporate false statements in their models

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Modeling in metaphysics

“metaphysical methods used to make claims about the world can be similar to scientific methods used to make claims about the world, but that the subjects of metaphysics are not the subjects of science” Paul 2012

metaphysical doctrines = models or classes of models “a class of models, where the models are composed of

logical, modal and other relations relating variables that represent n-adic properties, objects, and other entities” LA Paul 2012

idealization and abstraction are important .

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Idealization and abstraction

abstraction and idealization are used in theory-building in metaphysics.

Exemple: Idealization in the metaphysics of causation (when ignoring non-relevant causes).

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Modality and “testing” in metaphysics

1. Test a theory by considering the actual world or close possible worlds with fictional, physically possible situations.

2 Look for possible worlds that contradict the theory. Are there such possible worlds?

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Ideal in metaphysics (Godfrey Smith 2012)

Project 1: describe the language and our thinking Project 2: describe a part of the world Project 3: relate project 1 and 2. Project 4: correct project 1 based on alternatives.

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Features of metaphysical modality

Robustness: are there results robust across various possible models? P. G-Smith: happens in metaphysical modeling. I disagree

Tractability. In metaphysical model? I do not see it that way

P. Godfrey-Smith

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IV Concept-similarity in science and metaphysics

Causation is similar in science and metaphysics (but it is in itself problematic)

Structures are used in metaphysics, science, mathematics is a pretty uniform way

Laws of nature are less similar, but still you can see them on a continuum

Mereological concepts are even more different: parthood, recombination, com-possibility, composition, constitution

What about “possibility” as used in science and metaphysics? I show they are not similar at all, despite what is in general

suggested Many scientists embrace uncritically the concept of possibility from

metaphysics Metaphysicians dismiss any modal attempt coming from science

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D. Differences in modeling

How much the theory involves the unobservable, the indirectly confirmable, and the abstract;

“and in how many different, competing models may maximize the theoretical virtues while doing an adequate job of saving the phenomena.” Paul 2012

More theories to choose in metaphysics than in science. Scientific models are constrained empirically.

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IV. modalities I argue that a different concept of modality is at work

in metaphysical modeling than in scientific modeling Despite appearances, different modal concepts are at

work in scientific modeling and modeling in metaphyscs

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Modality in physics

Does quantum mechanics (Everettians) presuposes a different modalities than the standard metaphysics? Physical modalities are different than metaphysical

modalities, so we’re back to the “division of labor”. There is a new sense of modality in Everettian QM

Symmetries do act as limitations of modality. Path integral as well as principle of least action are

related to modality (Butterfield) The multiverse modality is altogether another story.

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Modality in metaphysical modeling

Causation: causal talk depends on contrasts between what actually occurs and the ‘‘normal’’ course of events (Hitchcock and Knobe 2009)

Philosophy uses fiction and the imagination, thought-experiments and imaginary cases

If a metaphysical model uses fictional entities and imaginative situations, thought experiments and suchlike, it uses modality

But is this similar enough to modality used in scientific models?

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Structure and world in scientific modality

Structure limits possibility The world also is a limit of the scientific possibility

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Fictions

Fictional entities in science are constrained by (a) a theoretical structure, and (b) the structure of the world

Fictional entities in metaphysics are constrained by conceivability.

This is a major difference.

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Abstractions and idealizations

I argue they are fundamentally different in science and metaphysics.

The mathematical structure needed in a theory does not exist

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Caveats

Perhaps models in science are more autonomous than stated here

Perhaps a theoretical structure is not needed (be it mathematical or not).

Why models? Perhaps a more syntactic-view friendly approach would find more similarities between the two modalities.

Perhaps mathematical models are missing from the picture. Put back mathematics where it belongs.

Perhaps logical models? 49

Unintended consequences

I may need to decouple possibility from necessity. Metaphysical possibility is dual to metaphysical

necessity. Scientific possibility (as used in modeling) is not

couple to scientific necessity (be it laws of nature, regularities, generalizations.

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Conclusion

Different modality concepts are fruitful in metaphysics Can instigate new research directions within

metaphysics

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