The Taming of Philosophy

The biggest source of resistance to the Parmenidean Ascent is the implausibility of its radically monistic conclusions. Philosophers have been taught to avoid at almost any cost any such implausible or counterintuitive results. Thus, to complete the defense of the Parmenidean Ascent, it is necessary to weaken the hold of the method of intuition and the related reliance on common sense. This chapter outlines various forms of the method of intuition to be found in thinkers as diverse as Bealer, Lewis, Sider, and also Rawls with his method of reflective equilibrium. The method of intuition is shown to be both unduly conservative and also arbitrary with regard to which opinions are favored. The chapter then explores the historical factors behind the rise of the method of intuition. Here the focus is on the reaction against Bradley by the early analytical philosophers, Moore and Russell, who question-beggingly reject Bradley’s commitment to the PSR.