Date: Mon, 23 Jun 1997 09:55:15 +0100
To: bhaskar-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.edu
From: COLIN WIGHT <ccw94-AT-aber.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: BHA: metaphysical refutation


Howard, I don't kniow if this illuminates any more than what you have
already, but.

>P.S.  Can somebody help with "metaphysical refutation"?

Howard,

My spin.

Your problem is?
> 
>I need to make clear for myself how Bhaskar accomplishes in RTS
>2(5) the metaphysical refutation of regularity determinism (p106).


> 
>He notes that so far he has discussed regularity determinism
>"merely as an epistemological thesis to the effect that our
>knowledge of the world can be cast in a certain form."  

 As I see this, the epistemological thesis (in the transitive dimension)
must logically presuppose that there are such things as "constant
conjunctions" under certain critical conditions. hence, the epistemological
thesis presupposes a given ontology.

>1.    what are the conditions? -- I understand them to be closure
>     and the classical paradigm of action.

Not necessarily. According to regularity determinism "constant conjunctions"
must occur also in open systems. I see the critical conditions as a the
"constant conjunction" form in a situation in which intial (critical)
conditions are met. What I think Bhaskar is trying to argue is that this
position can never be refuted at this level, since it will always be open to
the regularity determinist to argue that the constant conjunction holds but
that the initial (critical) conditions were not met.
 
>          What does that mean "metaphysical refutation"?

I wouldnt get too hung up on terminology here, I think he could equally well
have used "transcendental refutation" here. what i think he is pointing to
is the fact that the refutation of regularity determinism can not be
achieved at the level of substantive science, or a scientific ontology, but
only at a deeper level. That is, that if regularity determinism were true
science would not be possible.


Thanks,


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Colin Wight
Department of International Politics
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
SY23 3DA

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