I, as a philosophy major who actually studies this stuff, will post a real definition for metaphysics since many definitions are bullshit for the most part.
There are two kinds of metaphysics:
-General metaphysics (universal)
-Special metaphysics (particular)
General metaphysics is the study of ultimate reality as in the big picture of reality and is done empirically by most contemporary philosophers. Items of study in general metaphysics are categories, universals, attributes etc. This is not necessarily the study of any afterlife or upper reality; that subject is a matter of special metaphysics. Universals by D.M. Armstrong is a good example of what general metaphysics is.
Special metaphysics has potentially an infinite number of sub branches, each studying one particular subject. One such subject may be ghosts and spirits but most contemporary philosophers don't take this particular subject mater seriously. Topics that are taken seriously are philosophy of mind and psychology, personal identity, and aesthetics.
Unlike physics which studies concrete objects, metaphysics studies abstract objects like mathematics, logic etc.
There are two kinds of metaphysics:
-General metaphysics (universal)
-Special metaphysics (particular)
General metaphysics is the study of ultimate reality as in the big picture of reality and is done empirically by most contemporary philosophers. Items of study in general metaphysics are categories, universals, attributes etc. This is not necessarily the study of any afterlife or upper reality; that subject is a matter of special metaphysics. Universals by D.M. Armstrong is a good example of what general metaphysics is.
Special metaphysics has potentially an infinite number of sub branches, each studying one particular subject. One such subject may be ghosts and spirits but most contemporary philosophers don't take this particular subject mater seriously. Topics that are taken seriously are philosophy of mind and psychology, personal identity, and aesthetics.
Unlike physics which studies concrete objects, metaphysics studies abstract objects like mathematics, logic etc.
1. In a hypothetical situation:
Ray Comfort: I call my paranormal investigation metaphysics to sound scientific.
Me: Most metaphysicians don't take your definition seriously.
2. General metaphysics
Do two red blocks share a universal property of the color red or do they have their own instance of having the color red? That is to ask is there a universal thing called "the property red" that exists in more than one place at one time or is there no such thing?
3. Special metaphysics (personal identity):
Is a fetus identical to a person in the future? If so then the fetus is a person. If not then it is not a person.
Ray Comfort: I call my paranormal investigation metaphysics to sound scientific.
Me: Most metaphysicians don't take your definition seriously.
2. General metaphysics
Do two red blocks share a universal property of the color red or do they have their own instance of having the color red? That is to ask is there a universal thing called "the property red" that exists in more than one place at one time or is there no such thing?
3. Special metaphysics (personal identity):
Is a fetus identical to a person in the future? If so then the fetus is a person. If not then it is not a person.
by SocraticFox February 3, 2012
1. A branch of philosophy that studies the relationship between mind and matter
2. Often used to describe things that lack the "facts" to be classified as "real" or accepted
3. Related to paranormal phenomena
2. Often used to describe things that lack the "facts" to be classified as "real" or accepted
3. Related to paranormal phenomena
by Shay'oul December 20, 2003
A branch of philosophy that deals with the study of nature regarding existence and the Universe.
It tells you whether reality is real or an illusion.
It tells you whether reality is real or an illusion.
by viXXXXXXXen February 11, 2010
Not total bullshit and not the truth either, sort of like dreaming. Or, to be less polite, sort of like religion, art and morality.
In Metaphysics we are in the realm of ideas.
Metaphysics can only take us so far.
To know more would require the study of the physiology and history of the evolution of organisms and concepts.
Metaphysics can only take us so far.
To know more would require the study of the physiology and history of the evolution of organisms and concepts.
by Nietzschele May 21, 2018
Intellectuals do it meta-physically!
by AlisonandDan May 23, 2005
by akoz October 9, 2006
Metaphysicalism is a metaphysical thesis that supports everything is metaphysical, that supports even physics are part of metaphysics and vice versa, and there’s a dialectical relationship between physics and metaphysixs as well. Metaphysicalism also advocates all living beings and things have an metaphysical counterpart and it believes that the soul, the spirit, the mind and the consciousness exist at metaphysical level, besides advocate metaphysical/extraphysical theory and metaphysical/extraphysical mechanics play an important role in the universe and in the existence as well. Metaphysicalism is also used as synonym of Extraphysicalism.
Metaphysicalism supports reality is metaphysical itself and everything related to reality is metaphysical.
by Full Monteirism September 27, 2021