The term ‘metaphysics’ is derived from two Greek words ‘meta’ (after)
or (beyond) and ‘physics’ (physics) literally it means ‘after or beyond
physics’. And it originated with Andronicus, the editor of Aristotle’s
works. After arranging the collection of Aristotle’s works dealing with
physics, he did not know what to call the other works that followed. He
then decided to simply call them ‘after physics’ (metaphysics).
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that studies the ultimate nature of reality or
existence. It asks questions such as ‘What exists?’ or ‘What is real?’ Metaphysicians seek an
irreducible foundation of reality or ‘first principles’ from which absolute knowledge or truth can
be induced and deduced.
At first, questions like, ‘What is real?’ seem too simple to bother asking. But consider
George Knight’s example about the existence of a floor and one will see that the question has far
reaching implications: What is exactly the nature of the floor upon which you stand? It may seem
to have a rather straightforward existence. It is obviously flat, solid, and smooth; it has a particular
color; it is composed of an identifiable material, such as wood or concrete; and it supports your
weight…Suppose, however, that a physicist enters the room and is questioned about the reality of
the floor. She will reply that the floor is made of molecules; that molecules consist of atoms,
electrons, protons, and neutrons; and these, finally, of electric energy alone. A third position…is
offered by a passing chemist…To him the floor is a hotbed of hydrocarbons associated in a
particular way and subject to certain kinds of environmental influences, such as heat, cold,
wetness, dryness, and oxidation.
Its main branches are as follows:
(i) Cosmogony. This is a study of creation. Is the world created, or is it eternal? How was world created? Why was it created? Who created the world? What is the purpose in creation? All these are the problems of cosmogony.
(ii) Cosmology. The main problems of cosmology are: Is the world one or it many, or is it both one and many?
(iii) Ontology. Ontology is the study of ultimate reality. Is the reality one or is it many or is it both one and many? If reality is many, what is the relation between these many elements? All these are ontological questions.
(iv) Philosophy of self. This is mainly concerned with the philosophical analysis of self. What is self? What is its relation with the body? Is it free of does it depend on the body? Is it one or many? All these are problems of philosophy of self.
(v) Eschatology. The discussion of the condition of soul after death, the nature of the other world, etc., form the subject matter of this branch of philosophy.
or (beyond) and ‘physics’ (physics) literally it means ‘after or beyond
physics’. And it originated with Andronicus, the editor of Aristotle’s
works. After arranging the collection of Aristotle’s works dealing with
physics, he did not know what to call the other works that followed. He
then decided to simply call them ‘after physics’ (metaphysics).
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that studies the ultimate nature of reality or
existence. It asks questions such as ‘What exists?’ or ‘What is real?’ Metaphysicians seek an
irreducible foundation of reality or ‘first principles’ from which absolute knowledge or truth can
be induced and deduced.
At first, questions like, ‘What is real?’ seem too simple to bother asking. But consider
George Knight’s example about the existence of a floor and one will see that the question has far
reaching implications: What is exactly the nature of the floor upon which you stand? It may seem
to have a rather straightforward existence. It is obviously flat, solid, and smooth; it has a particular
color; it is composed of an identifiable material, such as wood or concrete; and it supports your
weight…Suppose, however, that a physicist enters the room and is questioned about the reality of
the floor. She will reply that the floor is made of molecules; that molecules consist of atoms,
electrons, protons, and neutrons; and these, finally, of electric energy alone. A third position…is
offered by a passing chemist…To him the floor is a hotbed of hydrocarbons associated in a
particular way and subject to certain kinds of environmental influences, such as heat, cold,
wetness, dryness, and oxidation.
Its main branches are as follows:
(i) Cosmogony. This is a study of creation. Is the world created, or is it eternal? How was world created? Why was it created? Who created the world? What is the purpose in creation? All these are the problems of cosmogony.
(ii) Cosmology. The main problems of cosmology are: Is the world one or it many, or is it both one and many?
(iii) Ontology. Ontology is the study of ultimate reality. Is the reality one or is it many or is it both one and many? If reality is many, what is the relation between these many elements? All these are ontological questions.
(iv) Philosophy of self. This is mainly concerned with the philosophical analysis of self. What is self? What is its relation with the body? Is it free of does it depend on the body? Is it one or many? All these are problems of philosophy of self.
(v) Eschatology. The discussion of the condition of soul after death, the nature of the other world, etc., form the subject matter of this branch of philosophy.
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