METAPHYSICS What is Reality?

Pragmatism and Metaphysics Reality is pluralistic. There is no one reality. Reality is pluralistic. There is no one reality. Whatever excites us emotionally and stimulates our interests is real Whatever excites us emotionally and stimulates our interests is real Reality is made up of meaningful relationships between emotions and actions Reality is made up of meaningful relationships between emotions and actions Our beliefs about reality are meaningful only if they have important consequences Our beliefs about reality are meaningful only if they have important consequences Reality problem should be linked to social issues (i.e. resolving problems such as discrimination, poverty etc.) Reality problem should be linked to social issues (i.e. resolving problems such as discrimination, poverty etc.)

Critique of Pragmatism: Discount social ills in society even though they partly address the need to resolve social issues Muddled thinking (i.e. does not provide a concrete sense of reality)..

Logical Positivism and Metaphysics All Metaphysics is nonsense. (i.e. statements like God exists are not verifiable. All Metaphysics is nonsense. (i.e. statements like God exists are not verifiable. Metaphysical statements are neither “tautologies” (obvious statements such as: a triangle has three sides) OR “facts” (stating what is true such as: “it is raining” Metaphysical statements are neither “tautologies” (obvious statements such as: a triangle has three sides) OR “facts” (stating what is true such as: “it is raining” Therefore, metaphysics does not qualify as a credible topic in philosophy Therefore, metaphysics does not qualify as a credible topic in philosophy

Critique of Logical Positivism By discounting metaphysics all together it fails to address important questions (i.e. what is reality?) By discounting metaphysics all together it fails to address important questions (i.e. what is reality?) Logical Positivism’s claim that “all meaningful statements are either tautologies or facts” does not fall under either of the two making logical positivism non-sense according to its own standards. Logical Positivism’s claim that “all meaningful statements are either tautologies or facts” does not fall under either of the two making logical positivism non-sense according to its own standards.

Postmodernism and Metaphysics All we know or consider to be reality is our own linguistic creation. All we know or consider to be reality is our own linguistic creation. Reality is not independent of language Reality is not independent of language Different languages describe the same reality in different ways (i.e. idea of third sex “hijras” in India, the Inuit have over 30 different words for snow) Different languages describe the same reality in different ways (i.e. idea of third sex “hijras” in India, the Inuit have over 30 different words for snow) There are many distinct and equally valid realities created by many different people from different cultures There are many distinct and equally valid realities created by many different people from different cultures There is no objective reality There is no objective reality

Critique of Postmodern Theory It validates realities that are oppressive (i.e. dictatorship, exploitation etc.) It validates realities that are oppressive (i.e. dictatorship, exploitation etc.) It fails to account for cultural universals (i.e. characteristics common to all cultures) It fails to account for cultural universals (i.e. characteristics common to all cultures) It disregards cross-cultural communication. (i.e. how would we ever be able to communicate if our realities were completely different?) It disregards cross-cultural communication. (i.e. how would we ever be able to communicate if our realities were completely different?)