ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the relationship between inductive metaphysics and conceptual re-engineering, arguing that both approaches can benefit from one another. Inductive metaphysics can integrate conceptual re-engineering to address placement problems more effectively, while conceptual re-engineering can enhance its applicability to metaphysics by incorporating inductive metaphysical approaches, in particular, inference to the best explanation. The chapter begins by introducing the key concepts of inductive metaphysics and conceptual re-engineering. It then examines existing proposals for applying conceptual re-engineering to metaphysics and develops an alternative approach – explanatory conceptual re-engineering – rooted in inductive metaphysical methodology. Finally, it demonstrates how this approach can address placement problems in metaphysics, arguing that it offers a more effective approach than traditional descriptive conceptual analysis.
