Confusion and Letter to Alison

Does Hans succeed in avoiding all ontological/metaphysical assumptions?

This question has posed quite a challenge for me because I tend to get the terms epistemology and metaphysics confused and sometimes, the definitions can intertwine with another. However to answer this question thoroughly, we must begin from the basics. Epistemology more or less, is concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge. It addresses of what knowledge is, how it is acquired, what people know, and how do we know what we know? This field can be debatable because how do we know what knowledge is, and what constitutes as knowledge in relativity to humans. In other words, how do we know what knowledge truly is? On the other hand, metaphysics investigates the principles of reality transcending those of particular science. Ontology the branch of metaphysics we are analyzing in this situation studies the nature of being and their relations. Now we have the components to solve the puzzle and that is if Hans successfully described and defended an “epistemology” without metaphysics. In general, I feel, as Hans did not successfully defend what he should have defended. The reason why is because I feel as though Russell and him just went on a never-ending tangent. They had made some good points, but lacked an ending to their conversation, thus not solving an epistemological/metaphysical claim in relativity to Ernst Von Glasersfeld.

1.Since I am a little confused about the first question, could someone give me his or her perspective on the first question?

Dear Ms. Bridges,

Primarily, I would like to apologize for being so offensive to your grading system by analyzing you so harshly. You have pointed out many key points on my previous letter that I have sent you and it does seem like you do have some knowledge on the subject of philosophy. I do completely understand that I received the grade that I deserved because as a teacher myself, I have been in similar situations. Honestly, I would never assume that I am the greatest creative writer or that I deserved a better grade than what I earned. A grade only states what a person’s competency is within the course, and mine seemed to be average. Thank you for not taking my letter personally and I would be delighted to attend you dinner party. I hope you are in the mood to dance.

Most Sincerely,

Jules Randolph Govier

From the letter at the end of the book (Alison to Jules), does it seem that they have a better relationship in respect to being colleagues?