The distinction between matters of logic and matters of fact provides a starting point for analytic philosophy and sound reason.

An analysis of radical scepticism and its relation to positivist ideas in preparation for consideration of epistemic retreat and degrees of trust.

Certain ways of obtaining more certain knowledge may be seen as retreating from arguably speculative hypothese to more solid observations or claims which bear upon the same subject matter. The term "epistemic retreat" is used here to encompass a variety of such manoeuvers.

Metaphysical Positivism is systematic constructive positivist philosophy. We present here sketches of Metaphysical Positivism together with some related historical material which might possibly help the reader come to an understanding of this system and its place in the history of ideas.

A presentation of the theoretical/analytic side of Positive Philosophy closely coupled with a contemporary conception of the research and development programmes of Leibniz and Carnap on the formalisation and automation of reason and its applications in science and engineering.

The evolution of the analytic/synthetic distinction, over a period of more than 2000 years, provides an example of how progress in philosophy takes place and of how that progress might be thought to contribute to progress for humanity.

This is one perspective on the story.

An account of Hume's fork and its significance for his philosophy.

A concise description of the necessary-analytic-a priori/contingent-synthetic-a posteriori distinction.

Materials on the history of philosophy which provide context for an understanding of Metaphysical Positivism.

In essence Metaphysical Positivism is a positivisitic philosophy with negative dogmas excised, with a positive attitude towards metaphysics, based around a method of logical analysis together with appropriate philosophical (including metaphysical) underpinnings.

The motivation.

Metaphysical Positivism is a positivistic philosophical system formulated for the twenty first century, building on a heritage going back at least as far as David Hume; cognisant of developments in logic and computer science which have taken place in the 20th Century, but turning away from some of the recent tendencies in analytic philosophy.

Some observations about usage of the concept of knowledge, which have a bearing on the arguments presented here.

The virtues of rigour its connection with scepticism.

Some arguments against the possibility of Knowledge, and the substantive content of those arguments.

The idea is to further the projects of Leibniz and Carnap, as a synthesis of philosophical, logical and information engineering ideas.

I am at present working towards a book intended for publication as a print on demand paperback provisionally entitled "Positive Philosophy and The Automation of Reason".

This section provide access to drafts of the book in various forms and to other related materials.

This page links together the materials at rbjones.com relevant to the book of the same name.