The Case for a Fictionalist Approach to Metaphysics in a Naturalistic Context

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A fictionalist approach to metaphysics, which treats metaphysical inquiries as explorations within fictional frameworks without demanding absolute truth, offers a viable and advantageous perspective for naturalists, even those who subscribe to scientific realism.

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This philosophical article advocates for a fictionalist approach to metaphysics, particularly within a naturalistic framework. It challenges the prevalent notion that naturalists committed to scientific realism must also adopt metaphysical realism.

The authors argue that the pursuit of absolute truth, a hallmark of traditional metaphysical realism, is problematic due to the inherent underdetermination of metaphysical theories by empirical data. They propose fictionalism as a more tenable alternative, where metaphysical inquiries are treated as explorations within fictional frameworks governed by internally consistent rules and theoretical virtues.

The article highlights the benefits of fictionalist metaphysics:

Embracing a Minimal Notion of Truth

• Fictionalism acknowledges the traditional role of metaphysics in investigating fundamental aspects of reality but without requiring adherence to objective, absolute truth.

Justifying the Use of Theoretical Virtues

• By suspending the demand for absolute truth, fictionalism allows for a more liberal and transparent use of theoretical virtues in evaluating metaphysical theories.

Providing a Solid Ground for Metaphysical Inquiry

• Fictionalism, by framing metaphysical questions within specific frameworks, provides a more secure and productive ground for exploring fundamental questions about reality.

Neutrality Towards Scientific Realism

• Crucially, fictionalist metaphysics does not necessitate a commitment to scientific realism, allowing for a more nuanced and flexible naturalistic stance.

The authors illustrate their argument with the example of quantum mechanics, where various interpretations, each with its own metaphysical assumptions, can equally account for the empirical data. This underdetermination, they argue, further strengthens the case for a fictionalist approach.

The article concludes by suggesting that fictionalist metametaphysics offers a robust and appealing framework for engaging in metaphysical inquiries while adhering to naturalistic principles.

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"Metaphysics is traditionally conceived as aiming at the truth — indeed, the most fundamental truths about the most general features of reality."
"[…] just as it is reasonable for the fictionalists […] to go in for quantum chemistry even though they view the enterprises not as a search for truth but as an exercise in model-building, so it is reasonable for those of us with a taste for metaphysics to pursue metaphysics in a similar spirit."
"When we think we’ve found a theory that will survive as part of this ideal model [a general worldview that satisfies certain cognitive requirements], we accept it. We come to believe that it’s acceptable — that’s the cognitive element in acceptance. But we also make it ours, immersing ourselves in its world-picture, resolving to speak as if we believed it (Monday through Friday) [that is, when actually using the model], to rely on it for practical purposes even when the stakes are high, and to treat it as the basis for subsequent inquiry."

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The game of metaphysics

by Raoni Arroyo... om arxiv.org 10-28-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2410.19622.pdf

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How can fictionalist metaphysics contribute to other areas of philosophy, such as ethics or philosophy of mind?

Fictionalist metaphysics, with its emphasis on exploring diverse hypothetical frameworks without demanding strict adherence to objective truth, offers a fertile ground for cross-pollination with other philosophical domains. Here's how it can contribute to ethics and philosophy of mind:
Ethics:

Exploring Moral Frameworks: Fictionalism allows ethicists to construct and analyze different moral systems, treating them as "moral fictions" with their own internal coherence and implications. This can be particularly useful in examining the strengths and weaknesses of consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, and other ethical theories. By comparing and contrasting these "moral worlds," we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of moral reasoning and potentially refine our own ethical intuitions.
Addressing Moral Disagreement: Deep-seated moral disagreements often seem intractable, with each side entrenched in their own seemingly incommensurable framework. Fictionalism provides a way to approach these disagreements by acknowledging the possibility of multiple valid "moral fictions." This can foster more constructive dialogue by shifting the focus from proving one side "right" to understanding the underlying assumptions and implications of each perspective.
Moral Motivation: One challenge in metaethics is understanding how moral beliefs, even if true, can motivate us to act. Fictionalism offers a potential solution by suggesting that moral motivation might stem from our "immersion" in a particular moral fiction. Just as we might be moved by a fictional story, we can be moved by the internal logic and values of a moral framework, even if we recognize its ultimately fictional nature.
Philosophy of Mind:

Modeling Consciousness: The nature of consciousness remains one of the most perplexing philosophical problems. Fictionalism allows us to explore different models of consciousness, such as materialism, dualism, and idealism, without requiring a definitive answer to the hard problem of consciousness. By treating these models as "fictions," we can investigate their explanatory power and limitations in accounting for various aspects of mental phenomena.
Personal Identity: Questions about what constitutes personal identity over time are notoriously difficult. Fictionalism can contribute by allowing us to explore different conceptions of the self, such as psychological continuity theories or narrative theories, as different "fictions" about what it means to be the same person over time. This can help us clarify our intuitions about personal identity and its ethical implications.
Artificial Intelligence: As we develop increasingly sophisticated AI, questions about the possibility of artificial consciousness and moral status become more pressing. Fictionalism can provide a framework for thinking about these issues by allowing us to explore different "fictions" about the relationship between mind and machine.
In essence, fictionalist metaphysics encourages a more exploratory and less dogmatic approach to philosophical inquiry. By embracing the power of hypothetical reasoning and acknowledging the potential for multiple valid perspectives, fictionalism can enrich our understanding of complex issues in ethics, philosophy of mind, and beyond.

Could a staunch realist argue that the underdetermination encountered in metaphysics is merely a reflection of our current epistemic limitations and not an inherent feature of reality itself?

Yes, a staunch realist could certainly argue that the underdetermination we encounter in metaphysics is a product of our current epistemic limitations rather than an inherent feature of reality. Here's how such an argument might proceed:

Epistemic Humility: Realists could begin by emphasizing the vastness and complexity of reality. They might argue that our current scientific understanding, while impressive, is still in its infancy. Given the limitations of our senses, instruments, and theoretical frameworks, it's unsurprising that we struggle to grasp the fundamental nature of reality.

Historical Precedent: Realists could point to historical examples where what was once considered metaphysically intractable turned out to have a definitive answer once our scientific knowledge advanced. For instance, the ancient debate about the composition of matter (earth, air, fire, water) was ultimately resolved by atomic theory. Similarly, the nature of light, once shrouded in mystery, is now well-understood in terms of electromagnetic waves. These examples suggest that what appears metaphysically underdetermined at one point in time might become clear with further empirical investigation.

Convergence of Inquiry: Realists might argue that even if we haven't yet reached a definitive metaphysical picture, the history of science shows a trend towards convergence on a unified understanding of reality. While different scientific theories might offer competing explanations at a given time, further research often leads to their integration or replacement by a more comprehensive theory. This suggests that underlying the apparent underdetermination, there is a single, objective reality that we are gradually uncovering.

The Importance of Truth: Realists could emphasize that the pursuit of truth is a fundamental human drive and a necessary condition for genuine knowledge. To accept underdetermination as an inherent feature of reality would be to abandon this pursuit and resign ourselves to a kind of epistemic relativism.

The Incoherence of Anti-Realism: Some realists might go further and argue that anti-realist positions, including fictionalism, are ultimately self-defeating. If our best theories are not at least approximately true, then why should we trust them as guides to action or belief, even within the "fiction" they create?

In conclusion, while acknowledging the challenges posed by underdetermination, a staunch realist could maintain that it reflects the current limits of our knowledge rather than an inherent ambiguity in reality itself. They would likely argue that continued scientific progress, guided by the pursuit of truth, will eventually lead us to a more complete and definitive metaphysical picture of the world.

In what ways does the fictionalist approach to metaphysics resonate with the use of thought experiments and counterfactual reasoning in other disciplines?

The fictionalist approach to metaphysics shares a deep resonance with the use of thought experiments and counterfactual reasoning in various disciplines. Here's how they align:
Shared Emphasis on Hypothetical Scenarios:

Fictionalist Metaphysics: Encourages exploring different metaphysical frameworks as "fictions," treating them as hypothetical worlds with their own internal logic and consequences.
Thought Experiments: Involve constructing imaginary scenarios to test the limits of our concepts, theories, and intuitions.
Counterfactual Reasoning: Relies on considering hypothetical situations where some aspect of the past or present is different to explore cause-and-effect relationships and potential outcomes.
Exploring Possibilities and Testing Limits:

Fictionalist Metaphysics: By entertaining different metaphysical "fictions," we can explore a wider range of possibilities and gain a more nuanced understanding of the fundamental questions about reality.
Thought Experiments: Often used to push theories to their breaking point, revealing hidden assumptions, inconsistencies, or unexpected implications. For example, Einstein's thought experiments about traveling at the speed of light revolutionized our understanding of space and time.
Counterfactual Reasoning: Helps us understand the significance of specific events or factors by considering what might have happened if they had been different. This is crucial in historical analysis, causal inference, and decision-making.
Bracketing Truth for Insight:

Fictionalist Metaphysics: While acknowledging that not all metaphysical "fictions" can be true, fictionalists argue that we can still gain valuable insights from exploring them.
Thought Experiments: The scenarios in thought experiments are often unrealistic or impossible in practice. However, their value lies in the insights they provide, not in their literal truth.
Counterfactual Reasoning: Deals explicitly with hypothetical situations that did not actually occur. The goal is not to rewrite history but to gain a deeper understanding of the factors at play.
Examples of Resonance:

Ethics: The "Trolley Problem" is a classic thought experiment that explores different moral intuitions about sacrificing one life to save many. Fictionalism resonates with this approach by suggesting we can explore different ethical frameworks as "moral fictions" to understand the complexities of moral reasoning.
Physics: Einstein's thought experiments about gravity, such as imagining people in falling elevators, were crucial in developing his theory of general relativity. Similarly, fictionalism in the philosophy of physics might involve exploring different interpretations of quantum mechanics as "fictions" to understand their implications for the nature of reality.
Philosophy of Mind: The "Chinese Room" thought experiment challenges the idea that computers can truly understand language, even if they can pass the Turing Test. This aligns with fictionalism by suggesting that different models of the mind can be explored as "fictions" to understand the nature of consciousness and intelligence.
In conclusion, fictionalist metaphysics shares a common thread with thought experiments and counterfactual reasoning by emphasizing the power of hypothetical scenarios to illuminate complex issues. By bracketing concerns about literal truth, these approaches allow us to explore a wider range of possibilities, test the limits of our concepts and theories, and ultimately gain a deeper understanding of the world and ourselves.