Some Considerations against the Way of Ideas

Abstract

Abstract In this chapter, I offer some considerations against the way of ideas. I do not claim that these considerations are ultimately decisive against all version of the way of ideas. Three different version of the way of ideas in metaphysics are presented and assessed, including Kant’s transcendental idealism, Frege’s aspirational Platonism, and Strawson descriptive metaphysics. Though none of the three is decisively refuted, some shortcomings of each are demonstrated. These shortcomings motivate a turn away from the way of ideas in metaphysics and toward the way of reference in metaphysics.