Analytic Metaphysics: Past, Present, and Prospects

Abstract

Within contemporary analytic philosophy, metaphysics has evolved into one of the most vibrant and prolific fields of research. This current status marks a dramatic shift from the school’s origins, which were defined by a hostile rejection of traditional nineteenth-century speculative practices by figures like Russell, Moore, and the members of the Vienna Circle. However, this early antagonism was never absolute; foundational engagement persisted, eventually giving rise to a rigorous “analytic metaphysics” that reclaimed the discipline using the high standards of clarity and precision introduced by the analytic revolution. Following a steady mid-century consolidation, the field experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity at the turn of the millennium. The present lecture will outline this historical trajectory, exploring how analytic philosophy revitalized this ancient discipline and examining the primary trajectories driving contemporary metaphysical debates and research projects.

About the Speaker

Achille C. Varzi is the John Dewey Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University, USA, and was elected a member of Academia Europaea in 2019. He has published extensively in logic, metaphysics, philosophy of language, and literature. His book Mereology, co-authored with Aaron J. Cotnoir, was published by Oxford University Press in 2021. He serves as an editor of The Journal of Philosophy and an editor for the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, as well as an associate or advisory editor for several other philosophical journals and book series.