What is metaphysics?
The branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space.
Can you guess which type of philosophy is my absolute favourite?
Yup! It’s metaphysics!
The definition above does a good jobs of defining what metaphysics explores, but to really break apart what metaphysics is, I want to start by breaking apart the name.
Meta in greek means with across or after.
physics is the study of nature and the laws of nature.
The origin of metaphysics in Greek started as “ta meta ta phusika” meaning the things after physics.
In medical Latin, it became metaphysica
Finally, in the mid 16th century, formed into metaphysics.
Why is metaphysics important?
Ever wonder about the origin of the universe? That’s metaphysics!
Do you think humans are meant for more, other than the menial day-to-day hustle of making money and selling time for wages? That’s metaphysics too!
What is the meaning of life? Is there such thing as an after life?
All of these bold and open ended question are pertaining to the origin of the universe, and humanity which allow them to be explored by philosophers who study metaphysics.
Plato, who is one of my favourite philosophers, theorized that there is no place in the physical world for the existence of a perfect circle, as there would be human imperfection within it.
These forms were supposed to be more real than the mere world of matter; Matter is only shaped by virtue of having some particular Form.
https://www.quora.com/Metaphysics-What-is-Platonic-dualism
Let’s get metaphysical !
As a trained philosopher since high school, I have always loved to think about the tough, abstract questions that don’t have a real answer.
If you’ve read other posts I’ve written then you know I tend to be more optimistic, abstract, and spiritual.
But my beliefs don’t play a large role in thinking about the possibilities of these questions.
Let me pose some metaphysical questions and attempt to respond to them;
- Does the soul exist?
- Is time real?
- Does God exist?
- What is reality?
1. Does the soul exist?
Yes, the soul exists. It has been discussed for centuries by many influential thinkers whether the existence of the soul exists. It is common belief in Christianity, Buddhism, and other religious philosophies.
I believe that believing in the existence of a higher power, means that we are created in the same image of that higher power, and therefore there is a part of that higher essence within us. I call that the spirit, soul, energy, and in some cases, consciousness.
It is also easy to find many different names for the soul, synonyms are a form of human created language that have similar but slightly different meaning.
As I go further and further on this journey of life, I notice that there is a quality that makes humans both similar, yet completely individual.
It is an essence that makes us act, behave, laugh and smile a certain way, it is the reason my voice will never sound exactly like my moms, or my dads, but is still similar to theirs.
In summary, I believe that the soul exists.
Stay tuned for more metaphysical questions and responses!
Remember…
Metaphysics is known as the foundation of philosophy because it tackles the more challenging abstract questions.
There are no right or wrong answers, but many different perspectives to consider when thinking about the questions posed.
Personal beliefs do play a large role in pushing metaphysics forward.
Take Peter Singer’s belief that animals have intrinsic value and watch as the concept of veganism pushes into a movement for animal rights.
I hope you learned something from reading this post!
Blessings,
with light and love,
stay true, stay weird ~~
~~ Kristina