I’ve just uploaded the first draft of my own contribution to the Contemporary Aristotelian Metaphysics volume which I’m editing for Cambridge University Press. The paper is entitled ‘In Defence of Aristotelian Metaphysics’ and consists of brief replies to two criticisms of ‘aprioristic‘ neo-Aristotelian metaphysics, one of them due to Thomas Hofweber, in the recent Metametaphysics volume (2009), and the other due to James Ladyman and Don Ross, in their Every Thing Must Go (2007). I also sketch an account of the methodology of Aristotelian metaphysics as I understand it, inspired by E. J. Lowe and the idea that possibility precedes actuality, that is, metaphysical inquiry is inquiry into the space of metaphysical possibilities, and it is a necessary precursor to all rational activities.

The paper is admittedly a bit sketchy on details and reads somewhat like a survey, but in a way that’s what it is supposed to be because other papers in the volume will go into much more detail. I’m also a little bit uncertain about whether one of the examples I use works in the way it’s supposed to, namely the one about ‘gold is the element with the atomic number 79′, which I discuss briefly towards the end of the paper. In other words, any comments would be very welcome! The volume itself is progressing nicely and I will start putting things together soon, although I anticipate a couple of delays. In any case, you should be able to get your hands on a copy some time next year. More updates will follow in due course!