The Aim of Metaphysics: Fine and the Totality of Reality

In a number of influential works, Kit Fine has developed a novel account of foundational metaphysics. Fine defends the view that the foundational question of ontology is concerned with what is real, and that the aim of foundational metaphysics is to provide a complete description of Reality. This paper examines whether such a metaphysical aim is achievable. I argue that this project faces a trilemma, showing that Fine's conception of totality fails to secure closure and, therefore, that his metaphysical description of Reality cannot be completed.