ABSTRACT

First published in 1998, this volume’s primary concern is to demonstrate how a metaphysics can be developed which enables us to make do in an uncertain world and to develop a pragmatic alternative to postmodernism. Opposing unificationist view of science, Clarke suggests, needs to be understood in the context of the perceived threat of metaphysical disorder. He explores this through issues including epistemology, fundamentalism, pluralism and idealisation and identifies a potential solution similar to the work of Otto Neurath.

chapter 1|17 pages

Epistemology, Scepticism and Postmodernity

chapter 2|37 pages

Fundamentalism, Laws, Causes and Lies

chapter 3|18 pages

Pluralism

chapter 4|16 pages

Causes and Capacities

chapter 5|20 pages

Idealization

chapter 6|16 pages

The End of the World as We Know It