What is Metaphysics: Definition and 28 Discussions

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that examines the fundamental nature of reality, including the relationship between mind and matter, between substance and attribute, and between potentiality and actuality. The word "metaphysics" comes from two Greek words that, together, literally mean "after or behind or among [the study of] the natural". It has been suggested that the term might have been coined by a first century CE editor who assembled various small selections of Aristotle’s works into the treatise we now know by the name Metaphysics (μετὰ τὰ φυσικά, meta ta physika, lit. 'after the Physics ', another of Aristotle's works).Metaphysics studies questions related to what it is for something to exist and what types of existence there are. Metaphysics seeks to answer, in an abstract and fully general manner, the questions:
What is there?
What is it like?Topics of metaphysical investigation include existence, objects and their properties, space and time, cause and effect, and possibility. Metaphysics is considered one of the four main branches of philosophy, along with epistemology, logic, and ethics.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. A

    I fed ChatGPT a bunch of metaphysics and asked for a story proposal

    from chat-gpt: The Eternal Traveller Summary: In a universe that is infinite, unbound, isomorphic, and has zero curvature, all possible places and times coexist together. From the perspective of a photon, there is no travel time, and a being in the form of light could instantly travel to all...
  2. G

    Joining. What are the rules?

    Hello. I am Guy René Bongers from Belgium. I joined in principle - here meaning to begin with - to post a metaphysical comparison related to quantum physics and non physical areas. It got refused by one censorer. So what are the rules, criteria for censorship. ? Is there here room for...
  3. TheHeraclitus

    I Ontology of Causal Dynamical Triangulation

    Also, what does Sabine mean in this video by the sentence: (5:51 in the video) Thank you!
  4. L

    Parapsychology & Metaphysics

    Summary:: What conclusions can actually be made from near death experiences and metaphysical research? If people describe the experience of biological death and subsequent recovery in very similar terms such as the classic white light down dark tunnel, seeing loved ones that died, hearing...
  5. JamieSalaor

    I How Does Quantum Measurement Influence Reality Splitting in Many Worlds Theory?

    In many words a split occurs when a quantum measurement occurs, this split would then 'radiate' out into the universe. So say a quantum measurement of an electron happens on the moon. The information from the measurement would travel to let's say some people. These people would then unknowingly...
  6. JamieSalaor

    I RQM - the metaphysics of it all....

    Hi everyone. I've been learning about RQM, I actually had a small chat with Carlo Rovelli over email a while ago to further understand what RQM was... This question is a little philosophical, but it's something I never got round to asking him.. In RQM it appears that at our macroscopic level...
  7. I

    I Big Bang singularity: can we say anything about its size?

    The Big Bang is sometimes described as started from a singularity, which I have interpreted as meaning that its characteristics are undefineḍ. If that is the case, can we not even say that the Universe as a singularity was still infinite? Otherwise we are implying that the singularity was...
  8. M

    I How do I show a skeptic that atoms/molecules actually exist?

    This might be a stupid question so please bear with me. I am having a debate with a friend of mine over the Internet. It is about science. His argument is that although science works (that is the technology part), science cannot actually tell anything about "reality". He sites for example...
  9. T

    Exploring the Intersection of Logic and Intuition in Physics Discussions

    I want to interact with sound thinkers, and don't care if they are male, female, religious, atheists, or 3-headed Martians: so long as they think reasonably logically and not just from soft-headed, soft-hearted, and emotional intuition. Like Einstein, I do know that intuition of some forms is...
  10. V

    Other Mathematics: A Key to Understanding Metaphysics?

    Metaphysics is a strong interest of mine, as is Philosophy in general. I also enjoy Math, and more importantly, I recognize some mathematical concepts are needed for Metaphysics. A simple example is the concept of infinity (what it is). I'm asking, are there any courses, or even books on...
  11. N

    Metaphysics: Understand the Basics

    Hi! Can someone please explain me a metaphysics in detail?
  12. T

    Is logical positivism really dead? Where art metaphysics?

    I keep hearing that logical positivism has been dead since the 1950s, yet it seems that most philosophy conducted nowadays STILL tends to avoid discussion of metaphysics altogether. Is the subject matter simply too difficult? The main new area in analytic philosophy over the last fifty years is...
  13. Ken G

    Is the multiverse cosmology or metaphysics?

    There have been a few threads of late on the multiverse concept in cosmology, and whether it can be viewed as a viable, albeit currently underconstrained cosmological theory that is leading us to demonstrably correct discoveries about our universe, or if it is essentially a fairly arbitrary...
  14. R

    On the metaphysics of internships

    Hello, I am quite new to all this world of internships so I have some questions to the forum. (I have been in several CTYs, but I am afraid that these programs are way different from an internship.) The thing is that I have been searching for internships in the US/Canada, but so far I...
  15. E

    Q: Exploring Metaphysics and Quantum Mechanics

    Hi all I have some questions regarding interpretations of QM. I am not a physicist or mathematician, although I have good general knowledge of science. I'm a philosopher with an interest in the relationships between science, religion and metaphysics. I am trying to link together many...
  16. apeiron

    Metaphysics 101: Exploring the Nature of Time

    Hey, anyone remember what was the first topic that got posed back in metaphysics 101? It is many years ago now, but as I recall it, the very first tutorial I ever had was on the question of time. Does it exist separate from change? Are we just part of a forever present moment or is there...
  17. P

    Metaphysics and its application in philosophy

    I'm not sure if this is the right area to ask about this, so feel free to move the topic if it's not. I'm interested in learning a little more about metaphysics and its application in philosophy. Where should I start reading. I'm trying to stay away from Aristotle and get a little more of a...
  18. R

    Quantum Metaphysics - Exploring Beyond Space & Time

    An exciting part about living in the time we do, is that science and spirituality are truly starting to come together. Scientists such as Fred Alan Wolf are making comparisons. There is something called Aleph or spirit in religion, "something" which exists beyond space time and the creator of...
  19. J

    How to fight against metaphysics and pseudoscience?

    How to fight against metaphysics and pseudoscience?
  20. H

    Is String Theory the Key to Understanding the Multiverse?

    "[URL Theory - From Physics to Metaphysics Authors: Reiner Hedrich http://xxx.lanl.gov/abs/physics/0604171 Currently, string theory represents the only advanced approach to a unification of all interactions, including gravity. In spite of the more than thirty years of its existence it did...
  21. O

    Metaphysics is Art: Exploring the Boundaries of Science and Invention

    The only thing that will be left to study in the future is philosophy. It is science that will end. Once all our practical scientific-technical problems have been solved, and we can manipulate all matter and ourselves infinitely, then only philosophy-metaphysics-art will be left, and that study...
  22. quantumdude

    Logic, Metaphysics, and the Idea of an Expanding Universe

    This thread is an offshoot of https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=83978&page=1&pp=20. Hmmmm, OK... ex·pand v. intr. 1. To become greater in size, volume, quantity, or scope: Air expands when heated. This critic's influence is expanding. 2. To speak or write at length or...
  23. E

    Metaphysics a reality or a misconception?

    I have many questions about the metaphysical... someone told me the "mind" is metaphysical... as in it does not exist in the ""physical world"... I do not understand their definition of metaphysical.. I mean.. does the metaphysical not bind to physical rules? Does the mind not lie in the...
  24. K

    Do you guys believe in metaphysics?

    Do you guys believe in metaphysics?
  25. R

    What is the Role of Metaphysics in the Age of Scientific Advancements?

    The great advances in Physics and mainly the new view of the Universe that arose from a strictly scientific method, suggest the above question. Historically, Metaphysics turned out to be a good name: Metaphysical topics were ever "meta" from the Physics for each historical time. But now...
  26. L

    Metaphysics and something from nothing

    Is anyone working on defining nothingness as a possible physical force with an unbelievably explosive nature do to its infinitely great potential for smallness in definition? Please forgive the wording, this was the best way I could think to create SOMETHING from NOTHING!
  27. H

    Quantum Metaphysics: Exploring David Bohm's Hidden Variables Theory

    When I say Quantum metaphysics I'm talking about how the study of quantum mechanics points to the metaphysical. Specifically, I'm talking about David Bohm and his hidden variables theory. His hidden variables theory is compatible with Heisenburg Uncertainty Principle and also Copenhagen...
  28. Q

    Would a theory of everything (or TOE) rule out metaphysics

    Would a theory of everything (or TOE) rule out metaphysics, or somehow incorporate it into a greater picture? After all, it is a theory of EVERYTHING, isn't it?
Back
Top