metafilosophical

Metafilosophical refers to the study of philosophy itself. It examines the nature of philosophy, its methods, its concepts, and its goals. A metafilosophical inquiry delves into questions about what philosophy is, how it is done, and what constitutes a philosophical claim or argument. It can explore the assumptions underlying philosophical practice, the criteria for evaluating philosophical theories, and the relationship between philosophy and other disciplines.

The term "meta-" signifies a level of abstraction beyond the subject itself, so metafilosophy is a reflection on philosophy from a higher vantage point. It doesn't necessarily engage in solving specific philosophical problems, but rather analyzes the very framework within which those problems are posed and addressed. For example, a metafilosophical question might be: "What makes a philosophical question a *philosophical* question?" or "Is there a single, unified method for doing philosophy?"

Metafilosophical considerations can influence the direction and methodology of philosophical research. By scrutinizing the foundations of philosophical inquiry, metafilosophy aims to clarify the scope and limits of philosophical knowledge and to refine the tools that philosophers use. It is a critical examination of the philosophical enterprise, seeking to understand its core principles and its place in human knowledge.