Abstract

Confronted with theoretical pluralism and human finitude, contemporary philosophy is trapped in a dilemma between foundationalist dogmatism and relativist normative anomie. This paper proposes Multitechnicism, a philosophico-practical framework designed to complete a paradigmatic shift from contemplation to engineering. Its core thesis holds that the legitimate foundation of philosophical validity ought to shift from pursuing comprehensive ultimate theories toward developing a metamethodology capable of systematically managing, generating and iterating technical solutions. First, this paper defines technology in its broadest sense: an executable solution formulated to achieve a specific goal. Based on this definition, the paper argues that every single technical solution is a projection constrained by the limits of human understanding, capable only of illuminating one sectional slice of reality; accordingly, no single monopolistic solution can fit all scenarios. Authentic effective praxis must therefore rely on problem-specific technology inventories accommodating clusters of heterogeneous solutions. Defined as Multitechnicism’s core research object and working tool, a technology inventory is a problem-centred aggregate of all available solutions, characterized by dynamic iteration, problem orientation and multi-dimensional classification. The paper further constructs a three-stage core workflow: Problem Formulation → Inventory Consultation → Practical Execution. It systematically elaborates five core inventory-focused metatechnologies underpinning the workflow: categorization techniques functioning as a multi-dimensional navigation system; solution-generation techniques covering cross-domain grafting, structural extraction, accidental encoding and the externalization of tacit knowledge; the chessboard model enabling full-spectrum inspection of problem domains to uncover overlooked solution paths; probability-based feasibility assessment shifting from binary yes-or-no judgment to refined gradational evaluation; and its original nomenclature technique, which externalizes tacit knowledge into retrievable, debatable and iterable inventory entries. Introducing the dimension of knowledge production, the paper identifies pattern extraction and tacit knowledge codification as lasting supply chains feeding inventory expansion, turning every practitioner into a co-builder of the inventory system. Ultimately, this article articulates Multitechnicism’s fundamental praxial stance: an unwavering commitment to never-ceasing practice. For any given problem, one perpetually searches for executable solutions; if none exist, one seeks methods to generate new solutions; absent such generative methods, one recursively explores higher-order metamethods, pushing the inquiry onward indefinitely without arbitrary cessation. This paper addresses prominent objections targeting the framework—namely accusations of techno-omnipotentialism, infinite regression, neglect of power structures and the reflexivity paradox—and demarcates its applicable boundaries and prospective research agenda. Multitechnicism marks philosophy’s turn from the contemplative pursuit of truth to an everlasting engineering project of solution-building, abandoning the hunt for absolute foundational principles in favour of sober, resolute and nonstop action amid universal finitude.