metaphysic

Metaphysic, often used interchangeably with metaphysics, is the branch of philosophy that investigates questions about the most general aspects of reality that lie beyond the reach of empirical science. It asks what kinds of things exist, what it means for something to be, and how entities such as objects, properties, and facts relate to one another. The term can refer to the field as a whole or to a particular metaphysical doctrine.

Etymology and history: The word comes from Greek meta (beyond, after) and physikē (physics). In classical philosophy, Aristotle's Metaphysics treated questions about being, causes, form, and substance, and the work helped shape the tradition. Over time metaphysics became the name for the study of reality beyond physics, while metaphysic is sometimes used to signal a specific system or doctrine within that tradition. The field developed through medieval scholasticism, the early modern critique of synthetic a priori knowledge, and ongoing contemporary debates about the nature of reality and knowledge.

Core topics and scope: Major areas include ontology (the study of being and existence), modality (possibility, necessity, and related notions), identity and change, time and space, causation, and the status of universals and abstract objects. Metaphysics also addresses the mind–body problem, free will, realism versus anti-realism, and the laws of nature. It often intersects with epistemology, philosophy of science, and theology.

Method and reception: Metaphysical inquiry relies on reasoned argument, conceptual analysis, and thought experiments rather than controlled experiments. It has faced criticism from empiricists and logical positivists, who argued that many metaphysical claims are unverifiable or meaningless. In contemporary philosophy, analytic metaphysics continues to explore foundational questions while seeking coherence with findings from physics and cognitive science.