Collingwood’s Metaphysics

Guido Vanheeswijck is Emeritus Professor at the University of Antwerp and the Catholic University of Louvain, both in Belgium. He has published widely on metaphysics, philosophy of culture and philosophy of religion and is co- editor, with Mathieu Marion, of Realism and Idealism: Central Problems in Metaphysics (forthcoming 2025).

“An original, insightful and clearly argued presentation of Collingwood’s metaphysics. The first part makes a convincing case for the underlying unity of Collingwood’s work. The second part explores relations between Collingwood’s work and that of a number of other philosophers, including Whitehead, Ayer, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Berlin, Kolakowski, Strawson and Taylor.”Stephen Leach, Keele University, UK“In this ground- breaking exploration of R.G. Collingwood’s metaphysics, Guido Vanheeswijck masterfully unveils the depth and complexity of one of philosophy’s most underappreciated minds. Through meticulous research and compelling argumentation, this work not only resurrects Collingwood’s philosophical legacy but also cements his place as a central figure in the development of modern metaphysical and historical thought.”Karim Dharamsi, Mount Royal University, Canada

• Introduction Part I: The Unique Position of Collingwood’s Metaphysics 1. Metaphysics as a Historical Science: Beyond the Radical-Conversion-Hypothesis 2. R.G. Collingwood on Eternal Problems 3. ‘The Debilitating Effect of Logical Positivism’: On the Difference Between R. G. Collingwood’s An Essay On Philosophical Method and An Essay On Metaphysics Part II: Collingwood and the Others: Predecessors, Contemporaries and Followers 4. The Seminal Role of Meta-Criticism: From Johann Georg Hamann to Wilhelm Dilthey 5. R.G. Collingwood, Samuel Alexander and A.N. Whitehead on Metaphysics, History and Cosmology 6. Does ‘I Know’ Tolerate Metaphysical Emphasis? R.G. Collingwood’s Affirmative Answer to Wittgenstein’s Rhetorical Question 7. Much Ado About Nothing: R.G. Collingwood versus Martin Heidegger on the Status of Metaphysics 8. Two Varieties of Descriptive Metaphysics: The Kantian Heritage of R.G. Collingwood and P.F. Strawson 9. Three All Souls Metaphysicals: The Hidden Influence of R.G. Collingwood on Isaiah Berlin, Charles Taylor and Leszek Kołakowski Conclusion 10. Beyond Metaphysical Controversies: The Significance of Collingwood’s Historical Metaphysics in Contemporary Philosophical Climate