Chapter 8 - Concluding Remarks: Methods and Epistemic Sources in Metaphysics

Summary

In Chapter 8 I will reflect on the methods and the character of the metaphysical arguments employed in Chapters 1 to 7. I will argue that most of the arguments can be reconstructed as inferences to the best explanation. Objections against the use of inference to the best explanation in metaphysics can be countered with respect to the specific contexts discussed in this book. What counts as the best explanation in these contexts can be understood in terms of what is minimally required for giving an account of the success of certain features of scientific practice. I will situate this approach by contrasting it with naturalistic and aprioristic conceptions of doing metaphysics of science.