METAPHYSICS: EXPLORED
The Idea of Being, Reality, Identity, Time, and Free Will
by: Ulysses Ybiernas | September 5, 2020
If you've ever caught yourself wondering “What is the nature of reality?” or “Do we have free will?”, that's good, you've stepped into the realm of metaphysics. Often considered one of the most abstract and foundational branches of philosophy, metaphysics deals with the basic structure of reality, examining what exists and what it means for something to exist in the first place.
In this article, we’ll explore what metaphysics is, its key questions and subfields, a bit of its historical development, and why it still matters in the modern world.
What Is Metaphysics?
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of being, reality, and the fundamental structure of the universe. The term comes from the Greek meta (meaning "beyond") and physika (meaning "physics"). It originated from Aristotle’s works that came “after the Physics,” but the name stuck because of its deeper implications, metaphysics goes beyond the physical to explore the principles and entities that underpin everything else.
In essence, metaphysics asks:
- What is there?
- What is it like?
While those questions seem simple, their answers are anything but transcendental.
Core Areas of Metaphysics
Metaphysics is often divided into several core subfields, each dealing with different fundamental aspects of existence:
1. Ontology: The Study of Being
Ontology deals with what exists, such as, the categories of being and how they relate. It asks questions like:
- Do abstract objects (like numbers) exist?
- What does it mean for something to “be”?
- Is there a difference between existence and essence?
2. Identity and Change
This area looks at how entities persist through time and how they can change while remaining the same thing. For example:
- If a ship has all its parts replaced one by one, is it still the same ship?
- How do we remain the “same person” from childhood to adulthood?
3. Space and Time
Metaphysicians ask questions like:
- Is time real or an illusion?
- Does the future already exist?
- Is space a substance or just a relationship between objects?
4. Causality and Free Will
This subfield investigates the nature of cause and effect, and whether we have free will or if everything is determined by prior causes. Questions include:
- Can an event occur without a cause?
- Are our actions freely chosen or just the result of brain chemistry and environment?
5. Possibility and Necessity
Also known as modal metaphysics, this area explores:
- What could possibly exist, versus what must necessarily exist.
- Are there possible worlds, and if so, what are they like?
A Brief History of Metaphysics
Ancient Roots
Metaphysics as a formal area of study began with Aristotle, who was the first to try to systematically investigate “being qua being”, being in itself. He explored causes, substance, potentiality and actuality, and laid the groundwork for centuries of metaphysical thought.
Medieval Developments
In the Middle Ages, thinkers like Thomas Aquinas blended Aristotle’s metaphysics with religious doctrine. Questions about the existence of God, the nature of the soul, and the relationship between faith and reason dominated metaphysical debates.
Modern Metaphysics
The rise of modern science in the 17th century, with figures like Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz, shifted metaphysical thought toward rationalism and dualism. Descartes famously split reality into mind and body, while others proposed that everything was either material or spiritual in nature.
Contemporary Metaphysics
Today, metaphysics is a highly sophisticated and technical field. It intersects with logic, language, mathematics, and even quantum physics. Philosophers now use formal tools to clarify metaphysical problems, often working closely with other disciplines.
Why Metaphysics Still Matters
To some, metaphysics may seem impractical, too abstract to matter. But in reality, it provides the philosophical foundation for all areas of inquiry, including science, ethics, and epistemology.
Here’s why it remains crucial:
- Clarifying Concepts: Before we can test ideas scientifically or discuss morality, we need to define what we're talking about.
- Exploring Assumptions: Science often rests on metaphysical assumptions, like causality or the existence of an external world.
- Inspiring Worldviews: Metaphysical beliefs influence how we see ourselves and the universe. They shape religious, spiritual, and secular worldviews alike.
In a world driven by technology and empirical data, metaphysics reminds us to ask the deeper, often uncomfortable questions, and not settle for surface-level answers.
Final Thoughts
Metaphysics may not provide easy answers, but it equips us with tools for thinking deeply about existence itself. Whether you're a scientist, a student, a spiritual seeker, or simply a curious mind, metaphysics challenges you to look beyond appearances and ask: What is ultimately real?
In an age overflowing with information, perhaps what we need most is a little more contemplation, and that’s where metaphysics comes in.
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- What metaphysical question fascinates you the most?
- Do you think metaphysics is still relevant in today’s world? Why or why not?
Let’s keep the conversation going.