We Are at a Metaphysical Nexus

 Back in the 1930s, the British philosopher R. G. Collingwood developed an idea that would puzzle—even anger—his colleagues. Some, like his friend T. M. Knox, even went so far as to suggest that Collingwood’s later ideas might have been the product of a deteriorating mind caused by illness.

What was it that people had such a hard time wrapping their heads around, perhaps even to this day?

Simple. Collingwood believed that when it comes to metaphysics, we should give up our ambition to finally, one day, arrive at the truth. Instead, he held that the metaphysician’s job was to uncover and describe the historical evolution of metaphysical thought, including the logic inherent in these developments. While he saw value in the formulation of philosophical systems, he was convinced that they will never be able to pass the test of time and can never be considered true (or false).

Now, why would he think that?

To him, our thinking depends on what he calls absolute presuppositions. These are the fundamentals we take so for granted that we can’t even see that we hold them—like fish can’t perceive the water that defines their very existence. They are the assumptions that, if we keep asking ourselves deeper and deeper questions, represent sort of a cul-de-sac: at some point, we cannot even ask the question, much less answer it....<<<Read More>>>...