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Metaphysics is a matter of self-understanding -– and that in a twofold sense.

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It is in this second sense, of course, that Hartshorne can say that metaphysics is entirely a matter of self-understanding, because either the believer or the unbeliever is simply confused or deceived about what she or he always already believes or does not believe. But aside from the fact that Hartshorne would almost certainly agree that metaphysics is a matter of selfunderstanding self-understanding also in the first sense, this first sense is certainly no less important than the second; for at stake in so understanding metaphysics is nothing less than strictly upholding "the ontological difference," and thus an understanding of metaphysics as in every wayan way an ontological, in no wayan way an ontic, undertaking.

22 May 1997