Metaphysics – Going Beyond the Physical World

The term “metaphysics” has Greek roots meaning “beyond the physical.” It refers to the study of topics that range beyond the physical world. This includes philosophical pursuits, magical powers, etc.

Aristotle was one of the earliest people to strictly study metaphysics. He called this field the “first philosophy.” Like many other ancient Greeks, Aristotle was interested in what modern people might refer to as the spiritual or elemental world. Later philosophers, specifically those of the Enlightenment period, also took up the quest for metaphysical understanding. Among the most notable figures of this period is Renee Descartes who questioned the origins of existence and thought. Later philosophers, such as Henry David Thoreau, explored metaphysical ideas through transcendentalism. More recently, philosophers have focused on existential thought, which also encompasses metaphysical exploration.

There are several fields of study that fall under the heading of metaphysics. One of these is cosmology, which is the study of the various phenomena of space and time. This can include basic questions regarding the origins and components of the universe and more advanced inquiries, such as the purpose of existence. Frequently, cosmological studies overlap religious belief systems. Determinism is another subtopic within metaphysics. It aims to understand the chain of events that influence people’s decisions. Thus, it draws into question the true nature of free will and spontaneous events. A third aspect of metaphysics, and one of the most prominently studied, is ontology. Ontology is, simply, the study of existence. It focuses on the origins and essence of things and the philosophical definition of “being.”

It is difficult to accurately define metaphysical studies. In essence, the field encompasses several pressing philosophical questions, which hard science is not equipped to answer. Some possible inquiries includes: “Does free will exist?” “Why does something exist in place of nothing?” and “What is the nature of spiritual existence?” Many metaphysical discussions focus on the various relationships between aspects of our universe. For example, the interaction between mind and matter is a major focus of metaphysical study.

Metaphysics is not considered an empirical science. The questions it asks can not be tested through mainstream scientific processes and, thus, cannot be definitively answered. For true metaphysicists, this is perfectly acceptable. Metaphysics is founded on the idea that each individual must seek his or her own meaning to philosophical questions. Thus, the ultimate goal is to seek answers to satisfy their individual curiosity and suggest a theory to others.

Metaphysics is ultimately a very broad subject. It has been used to describe everything from the yoga to astrology. Thus, a true metaphysicist must pick and choose the questions he or she seeks to answer. Even then, true answers may never come. The quest for metaphysical knowledge is essentially unending and cannot be completed using hard science or known facts.