Metaphysics

METAPHYSICS

Preface
The preface addresses the historical skepticism surrounding metaphysics, referencing prominent figures who have dismissed it. The author emphasizes the need for a critical approach rooted in neo-Kantianism, prioritizing understanding the cognitive apparatus. The text underscores the significance of strict nominalism, which suggests that general concepts are mere names and the rejection of foundational metaphysics in favor of critical realism and idealism. The author's journey into metaphysics is also highlighted, emphasizing a panexperiential approach.

Chapter 1 | Metaphysics and Science
It discusses various styles of metaphysical thought, from deriving style from objects to the style of process metaphysics. The chapter touches upon the axiomatic base of metaphysics, the objectivity and subjectivity of objects, and the move toward critical metaphysics that prioritizes knowing over being. The relationship between valid science and critical metaphysics is explored.

Chapter 2 | Immanent Metaphysics
Here, the focus is on the limit-concepts of reason, which are fundamental ideas that define the boundaries of rational thought. The chapter explores modern limit-concepts such as the soul, world, and God and the Copernican Revolution's impact on metaphysics. It also discusses the diversity and convergence in the world, emphasizing horizontal variety and vertical unity. The alliance between science and metaphysics is explored, highlighting the significance of empirical evidence and heuristic relevance.

Chapter 3 | Transcendent Metaphysics
This chapter delves into transcending the limit-concepts, discussing epistemological and ontological transgressions. The relationship between conceptual and non-conceptual thought is explored, emphasizing direct experience and cognitive nonduality. The chapter also differentiates between irrationality, which lacks logical coherence, and poetic sublimity, which elevates thought to an artistic level.

Chapter 4 | Ontology
An actual occasion is the foundational building block of process ontology. It represents the differential, phenomenal moment that initiates the stream of moments. Essentially, it's a snapshot or a droplet of what happens in the world at a given instance.
Every event in the world is made up of these actual occasions. An actual occasion is atomic in nature, characterized by its extensiveness. This extensiveness can manifest in various ways : spatially (like geometrical objects), temporally (like the duration of mental objects), or spatiotemporally (like the endurance of sensate objects). Actual occasions are interconnected in a determining way within an extensive continuum. The world is constructed from these actual occasions, further analyzed in terms of efficient and final causation. Events are aggregates of actual occasions, and entities are aggregates of events. The actual occasion is momentary and present in the here and now. When a choice or decision is made, the actual occasion ceases, influencing subsequent actual occasions. This influence integrates the work of final determination through the conscious manipulation of properties.

Chapter 5 | Mental Pliancy
This chapter delves into the nature of the mind, exploring its definition, characteristics, and continuum. It discusses the non-physical domain of the mind and differentiates between the ego, self, and the concept of selflessness. The chapter also contrasts closed minds, which are limited in their understanding, with open or pliant minds, which are more receptive to knowledge.

Chapter 6 | Conventional Truth
The nature of conventional truth, valid but potentially mistaken, is explored. It discusses the validation of knowledge, the significance of experimentation in establishing truth, and the relevance of subjectivity. It also delves into the argument of illusion, challenging sensory perceptions.

Chapter 7 | Speculative Thought
Focus is on speculative thought, which ventures beyond established knowledge. It discusses speculations on the subject, emphasizing the identity system and the concept of selflessness. It also explores speculations on the object, particularly the object of creative thought and the process of clearing ontic world systems.

Chapter 8 | Preparing Ultimate Truth
The chapter delves into the nature of ultimate truth, discussing whether it can truly be defined. It critiques various conceptual fallacies and outlines generating the right view or perspective on the ultimate truth about the nature of reality.

Chapter 9 | Ultimate Analysis
This chapter delves into the difference between conventional and ultimate analysis. It discusses the presuppositions of ultimate analysis, emphasizing the rules of formal logic and the concept of identity. It also explores the primitives of ultimate analysis and the six instantiations, which are the six different ways objects can be made to exist.

Chapter 10 | Operators of Existence
The core questions of existence, emphasizing the concepts of nothingness, potentiality, and virtuality, are investigated. It explores the basic operators, matter, information, and consciousness, drawing parallels between them and hardware, software, and userware, respectively.
 
Chapter 11 | Special Metaphysics
This chapter delves into specialized topics in metaphysics.