V. FANO, Doing Metaphysics from Science: the Case Study of Time
March, 5, 2021, h. 16-18 CET
Doing metaphysics building on empirical sciences is a very controversial matter. In this paper a middle road between the Scylla of denying the possibility of metaphysics and the Charybdis of doing metaphysics a priori is outlined. This is possible if, on the one hand, we accept a moderate form of scientific realism and, on the other, we establish a logico-epistemological framework adequate enough to face the underdetermination of metaphysical theses with respect to our best scientific theories. My perspective is tested using the case of the debate between eternalism and presentism. In this case study, the result is that both ontological hypotheses have their realm of validity. In other words, the fragmented scientific image of the world is reflected in an equally disjointed metaphysical perspective.