Metaphysics, Metamathematics and Metabiology

Neglect of Metaphysics

Not even false” is a saying that is part of the lore of academic physics. Metaphysics is said to be meaningless. But there are compelling arguments, that originate from the work of the rationalist philosopher Spinoza, and from the work of Godel, Church and Turing in the foundations of computer science, which relate physics to metaphysics. The principle of possibility from Spinoza and the unders...

A Cybernetic Metaphysics

Metaphysics is supposed to answer the question “What is the nature of things?”, or something like that. Before trying to answer this question we should ask a counterquestion: “What is meant by the nature in this context?” Indeed, we want to understand clearly the meaning of the question before getting involved in answering. In this paper we interpret the metaphysical quest from the vantage poin...

The Influence of Ibn Sìnå on Gadr ad-Dìn Qinawì and His Followers

This article is an investigation into the nature of the Sufi metaphysics of Gadr ad-Dìn Qinawì and his followers. In contrast to previous scholars, who have considered Qinawì to be dismissive of philosophy in a way similar to Ghazålì, the author shows that in fact philosophical metaphysics, and in particular the formulations of Ibn Sìnå, had a great impact on Qinawì and his followers in the sch...

Overcoming of Metaphysics: Heidegger's Interpretation of Kant's Thought and the Problem of Metaphysics

"Clarifying the Nature of the Infinite": the Development of Metamathematics and Proof Theory

We discuss the development of metamathematics in the Hilbert school, and Hilbert’s proof-theoretic program in particular. We place this program in a broader historical and philosophical context, especially with respect to nineteenth century developments in mathematics and logic. Finally, we show how these considerations help frame our understanding of metamathematics and proof theory today.