Overview
Metaphysics is the study of the fundamental nature of reality. It goes “beyond physics” (meta-physics) to ask questions that science cannot (yet) answer.
Core Idea
The core idea is structure. What is the universe made of at the most basic level? Not just atoms, but “objects,” “properties,” “events,” and “causes.”
Formal Definition
The study of being qua being. It includes:
- Ontology: What exists?
- Cosmology: How did the universe begin?
- Universal Science: The study of first principles.
Intuition
Physics asks: “How does gravity work?” Metaphysics asks: “What is a law of nature? Is it a physical thing? A pattern? A command from God?”
Examples
- Mind-Body Problem: Is the mind physical?
- Free Will: Is the future determined?
- Universals: Do “Redness” and “Triangularity” exist, or are they just words?
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: It’s about crystals and healing.
- Correction: That’s “New Age” metaphysics. Academic metaphysics is rigorous, logical analysis of reality.
- Misconception: It’s useless speculation.
- Correction: Every worldview is based on metaphysical assumptions (e.g., Materialism is a metaphysical stance).
Related Concepts
- Epistemology: How do we know reality?
- Logic: The tool used to do metaphysics.
- Physics: The science that metaphysics interprets.
Applications
- Science: Paradigm shifts (like Relativity) often start as metaphysical questions about space and time.
- Religion: Theology is essentially applied metaphysics.
Criticism and Limitations
- Positivism: The Logical Positivists argued that metaphysical statements are meaningless because they cannot be verified empirically. (Though this view is largely dead now).
Further Reading
- Metaphysics by Peter van Inwagen
- Naming and Necessity by Saul Kripke