Metaontological annihilationism and Ptolemaic labor

This article explores the epistemological opposition between two distinct approaches to knowledge: "Ptolemaic labor" and metaontological annihilationism. The former is characterized by the preservation of outdated theories through the creation of increasingly complex theoretical constructs, often at the expense of explanatory clarity and progress. In contrast, metaontological annihilationism embraces the destruction of pseudo-ontologies through reductionism, driven by practical optimism and the pursuit of epistemic benefits such as simplicity and universality. By juxtaposing these approaches, the article examines their implications for the methodology of science and philosophy, highlighting the tension between conservatism and radical epistemological innovation.