The Metaphysical Society of America (MSA) is a philosophical organization founded by Paul Weiss in 1950.
In his opening address, "The Four-Fold Art of Avoiding Questions", Paul Weiss spoke of the need for a society that would reinvigorate philosophic inquiry.
He denounced "parochialism," referring to those who insisted upon "some one method, say that of pragmatism, instrumentalism, idealism, analysis, linguistics or logistics, and denied the importance of meaningfulness of anything which lies beyond its scope or power," as well as those who confined their studies to only some historic era.
Early in the history of the society, there was some dispute about whether certain schools of thought should be included in the program.
However, as Paul Weiss remarked in 1969, the society had succeeded in accomplishing metaphysical diversity: Gradually and persistently, year after year, men of the most diverse backgrounds and commitments exhibited the strengths and weaknesses of their doctrines and methods.