For a problematic and dialectical metaphysics

Abstract

J. Habermas and W. Pannenberg have intervened in the recent debate on metaphysics, expounding positions which are in part conflicting. Habermas proposes a post-metaphysical thought which rejects the philosophy of identity, idealism, the primacy of the philosophy of consciousness, and the strong concept of theory. Despite the interest of his proposal, Habermas has a negative understanding of metaphysics and fails to take into consideration the Aristotelian line of thought, in which the pure problematicity prevails, i.e., the dialectical questioning of oneself on experience, recognizing the trascendance of the absolute. Pannenberg affirms that the criticism of Heidegger against metaphysics was also directed towards that of Platonic inspiration which culminates in Hegel. However, the Protestant theologian does not recognize that Aristotelian thought maintains its validity also with regard to the idea of God, which is considered as the Transcendant Principle, and not as the One in which are resolved finality and historicity.