Question

Would it be correct to affirm that what has been called Continental philosophy (existentialism: Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Heidegger, Sartre; phenomenology: Husserl, Merleau-Ponty; vitalism: Bergson; postmodernism: Foucault, Derrida, Deleuze) tends to be a continuation of metaphysics, while what has been called Analytic philosophy (logic-positivism: Carnap, Russell; Quine, etc.) tends to be a departure from it? NB: This question differs from this one in the extent that it considers continental philosophy in general, and analytic philosophy in general (not only their early days). There are philosophers in both traditions who have looked at metaphysical issues (David Lewis, Saul Kripke in the analytic tradition, for example). There are also philosophers in both traditions who have looked at other issues (Walter Benjamin and Foucault are famous continental epistemologists). In addition, most philosophers contribute more broadly than that. Husserl's major contributions involved epistemological and metaphilosophical contributions, including the phenomenological method itself. Kierkegaard's works have strong ethical implications and questions, especially with regards to Christian morality. Similarly, even if we stick to the hardcore analytics of Wittgenstein and Russell, we get metaphysical discussions of things like logical atomism. It seems unlikely that there was a tendency when Continental Philosophy went towards metaphysics and analytical philosophy didn't. Regarding Continental and Analytic Philosophy:

In the context of Continental and Analytic philosophy, what can be said about their engagement with metaphysics?

a. Continental philosophy tends to be a continuation of metaphysics, while Analytic philosophy is a departure from it.

b. Both Continental and Analytic philosophies are a continuation of metaphysics.

c. Continental and Analytic philosophies equally depart from metaphysics.

d. Analytic philosophy tends to be a continuation of metaphysics, while Continental philosophy is a departure from it.

Answer 1

Both Continental and Analytic philosophy interact with metaphysics, though their methods and emphases differ. Continental philosophy is more directly engaged in metaphysical exploration, while Analytic philosophy has both historical examples of distancing from metaphysics and later examples of deep engagement with it.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of Continental and Analytic philosophy, it's not quite accurate to state that one is a continuation of metaphysics while the other completely departs from it. Continental philosophy indeed embraces metaphysical questions, investigating the nature of existence, reality, and experience from various perspectives like existentialism, phenomenology, and postmodernism. Figures such as Kierkegaard, Heidegger, and Sartre dive deeply into metaphysical explorations.

Similarly, Analytic philosophy engages with metaphysics too, especially in later developments, with philosophers like David Lewis and Saul Kripke examining metaphysical themes within a structured, logical framework. While early Analytic philosophy, exemplified by the Logical Positivists, sought to distance itself from metaphysical speculation, the broader tradition cannot be regarded as wholly detached from metaphysical inquiry.

Therefore, the claim that Continental philosophy always aligns with metaphysics and Analytic philosophy completely diverges from it does not hold true in a general sense. Each tradition has its own approach to metaphysical questions, and there are examples in both traditions where such issues are central to their work. The distinction between the two might be better understood in terms of methodological and thematic emphases rather than an absolute divide on the issue of metaphysics.