nonmetaphysical

Nonmetaphysical describes a stance or approach in philosophy and related disciplines that avoids metaphysical commitments about the nature of reality beyond what can be experienced or logically analyzed. It favors explanations grounded in observation, experiment, and rational argument rather than speculation about ultimate substances, essences, or transcendent realities.

In usage, nonmetaphysical theories typically emphasize empirical verification and methodological naturalism. They treat claims about the world as testable or analyzable within the methods of science, mathematics, or formal logic, and they resist positing entities that lie beyond empirical scrutiny.

Historical context: The idea is associated with empiricism and with movements within analytic philosophy that sought to curb metaphysical speculation. Logical positivism and neopositivism explicitly endorsed verificationism and aimed to render metaphysical statements nonsensical or meaningless, though these programs faced substantial critique and evolved over time. Naturalism also embodies nonmetaphysical commitments by explaining phenomena in terms of natural causes.

Applications and debates: In ethics and philosophy of mind or science, nonmetaphysical approaches favor procedures, evidence, and reasoned justification over appeals to nonempirical foundations. Critics argue that certain meaningful questions—such as the nature of consciousness, value, or meaning—may require metaphysical considerations, while supporters claim a clearer epistemic standard and greater methodological rigor.

Related terms include naturalism, empiricism, logical positivism, scientism, and metaphysics.