What is Metaphysics – Definition of the Concept

Definition of

Metaphysics

Before entering fully into the meaning of the term metaphysics It is necessary to know its etymological origin. In this case, we can emphasize that it is a word that derives from the Greek. Specifically, it is the result of the sum of two lexical components of that language:

-The word goalwhich can be translated as “beyond”.

-The word physikawhich derives from physikos and that it is synonymous with “physical nature” or “treaty of nature”.

Article Topics

  • what is metaphysics
  • reality and being
  • types of metaphysics
  • different looks
  • Related Topics Tree

what is metaphysics

The metaphysics is the area of ​​the philosophy centered on the be. This discipline analyzes the principles, properties and nature of reality that are inaccessible through experience.

The object of study of metaphysics, therefore, cannot be examined or demonstrated by means of a empirical research. It is often said that while the biology takes as its starting point the existence of life and the chemistry does the same with matter, metaphysics is responsible for defining what is life and what is matter.

Metaphysics is associated with what Aristotle called the first philosophywho studied the causes and characteristics of be. The concept, in fact, arose from the order that Andronicus of Rhodes gave to a first edition of notes by Aristotle.

It can serve you: Object of study

reality and being

It can be affirmed that metaphysics seeks to understand reality from the theory, trying to penetrate the elementary principles of things. What is being and why is there something are two of his essential questions.

Being, in this framework, is that which, leaving aside the totality of the individual characteristics of particular entities, continues to be the same in all entities. Being is also defined as that which can be attributed to all.

See also: Scientific theory

types of metaphysics

No less significant is knowing that there are different types of metaphysics. Specifically, among the most important are the following:

spiritual metaphysics, which is a school that aims to help people to be happy. In order to achieve this end, what it does is try to get people to modify their behavior patterns, specifically to eliminate what are their defects while enhancing what are their virtues.

cartesian metaphysics, which is closely related to the figure of the philosopher Descartes. Specifically, in that he comes to determine that there are three important substances: the soul, which is the thinking substance that responds to the name of “res cogitans”; God, who comes to be the infinite substance also known as “infinite res”; and the matter, which we can establish is the extended substance and which is also called “res extensa”.

In addition to those mentioned, we can highlight the special metaphysicswhich divides into several branches, and the general metaphysics.

Follow: Ergo

different looks

It is important to bear in mind that there are different ways of understanding what metaphysics is and the scope of this part of philosophy.

There are those who affirm that the postulates of metaphysics they have no meaning or sensewhile others maintain that their statements do have meaning, but it is not possible to determine if the statements are true or false since it exceeds the Cognitive ability of the human being.

See also: Philosophy