Incommensurability and the priority of metaphysics
pp. 143-157
Abstract
I aim to reject a semantic doctrine, "Incommensurability", commonly attributed to Kuhn and Feyerabend. They also subscribe to the neo-Kantian metaphysical doctrine of "Constructivism" which stands opposed to "Realism". I argue that the Incommensurability issue comes down to the Realism issue. On the Realism issue I reject four arguments for Constructivism. Two Kantian arguments make the mistakes of using an a priori methodology and of not "putting metaphysics first". Two arguments by Hoyningen-Huene and his co-authors support relativism but do nothing to support the Kantian core of Constructivism. I conclude by arguing against "meta-incommensurability".
Publication details
Published in:
Sankey Howard (2001) Incommensurability and related matters. Dordrecht, Springer.
Pages: 143-157
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-015-9680-0_5
Full citation:
Devitt Michael (2001) „Incommensurability and the priority of metaphysics“, In: H. Sankey (ed.), Incommensurability and related matters, Dordrecht, Springer, 143–157.