Abstract

BOONGALING, Pamela Ann J.. Is quinean naturalism dependent on the metametalanguage of metaphysics?. discus.filos [online]. 2020, vol.21, n.36, pp.39-52.  Epub Dec 07, 2020. ISSN 0124-6127.  https://doi.org/10.17151/difil.2020.21.36.4.

I will demonstrate that Quinean naturalism must accommodate a priori truths in its epistemology if it aims to retain its naturalist stance. This happens because the laws of first-order logic which it uses in the regimentation of scientific theories are best perceived as metaphysical principles rather than logical laws. To support this position, I will demonstrate that since our best scientific theories are dependent on the meta-language of first-order logic and since the meta-language of first-order logic is included in the metametalanguage of metaphysics, science is also dependent on the metametalanguage of metaphysics. Hence, the cogency of Quinean naturalism’s account of our best scientific theories must explain how science is dependent on the metametalanguage of metaphysics.

Keywords : a priori; law of excluded middle; law of non-contradiction; metametaphysics; Quinean naturalism; Toumas Tahko.

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