Alex Kanev

The paper examines the evolution of metaphysical thought from Immanuel Kant to contemporary philosophy, focusing on a pivotal shift in 1951. It explores Kant’s critique of traditional metaphysics and his influence on modern thinkers like Ludwig Wittgenstein and W.V.O. Quine. The paper highlights Wittgenstein’s late reflections on the relationship between logic and reality, and Quine’s challenge to the analytic-synthetic distinction, which reshaped metaphysical discourse. It also discusses the revival of speculative metaphysics, influenced by both Kantian critique and the rise of naturalistic and abductive approaches, and questions whether Kant’s objections to metaphysics remain relevant today.

New Realism is a movement in philosophy initiated in 2011 by Maurizio Ferraris (University of Turin) and Markus Gabriel (University of Bonn). It has already had success in prompting debates on the perspectives for a realist turn in philosophy. Hundreds of articles pro and contra New Realism have been published, some authored by distinguished contemporary thinkers. All over the world, there have been international forums related to the movement. The main task of New Realism is to develop a theoretical alternative to postmodernism and other antirealist traditions in contemporary philosophy.

The article reconstructs and critically discusses the energetic metaphysics of Dimitar Vatsov, which may be regarded as an important event in the philosophical life in Bulgaria. The article consists of two parts. The first part situates Vatsov's project in the context of the contemporary development of metaphysics and presents the evolution and logic of its realization, emphasizing the central ideas of actuality, energy, and codification. The second part presents a series of critical observations on the realization of the project, related to conceptual ambiguities and problematic theoretical moves. It is argued that the modal aspects of energetic metaphysics need conceptual clarification and theoretical justification. The article also aims to provoke a broader discussion on the state and future of metaphysical research in Bulgarian philosophy.