On Overview of Metaphysics: The Study of Reality

Introduction to Metaphysics: An Overview -

  1. The History of the Term 'Metaphysics':

    1. Literally the term means "after physics" - 'Meta' ("after") + 'physi' ("nature") - Aristotle

    2. Two different uses of 'Metaphysics' Today:

      1. The Common usage refers to anything mystical or the Occult - ESP, Transcendental Meditation, Channeling

      2. The Philosophical usage is more restricted - The Systematic Investigation of Reality

  2. The Problems of Philosophical Metaphysics:

    1. Ontology - What kinds of things actually exist?

      NOTE: At it's core, Ontology is trying to get at the nature of existence. This is made clear from the term itself which is a composite of two Greek words, 'ontos' or "being," and 'logos' or "reason." The basic problem is that when we think about this question carefully, we are confronted with different kinds, or modes, of existence (see below). We clearly see this because our language allows us to make distinctions between the kinds of things that exist. For example, we ordinarily speak of "things that exist," or objects. But we can also use the word 'entity' to describe existing things. This term seems to be more inclusive than 'object' which seems to be limited to things that occupy space and time. An entity is simply anything that is; thus 'entity' will entail both material objects, but it will also include non-material things, like numbers. We must be careful not to assume that only material things (or non-material things, for that matter) exist when we talk about the universe. This is why metaphysics is both the foundation of Science, but also more inclusive than Science. The latter is devoted exclusively to an investigation of the material part of the universe, while Metaphysics, particularly Ontology, takes into consideration those things that may exist beyond the scope of scientific inquiry.

      1. The Two Basic Questions of Ontology:

        1. What kinds of things exist?
        2. What is the nature of that which exits?

      2. (There are at least) Two Possible Answers:

        1. Monism: there is only one kind of stuff (from which all things are made) -

          1. Materialism - everything is ultimately composed of matter
          2. Idealism - everything is ultimately composed of ideas ("mind-stuff")

        2. Dualism: there are two kinds of stuff (from which things are made) - On this view everything is composed of one or the other, or some combination of these two basic substances. For example, a rock is made of matter only. A soul is made of ideas (i.e., mind-stuff - or "thinking" as Descartes would say). A human is made of a combination of body and mind

  3. Philosophy of Religion - What is the Nature of God?

  4. Philosophy of Mind - What is the Nature of the Mind?

  5. Free Will and Determinism - Are all events in the Universe determined by causal laws?

  6. What is the Nature of Non-Material Entities and Relations?

  7. What kinds of things don't exist but could?

  8. What kinds of things couldn't possibly exist?

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