THE metaphysics it is the basis of Philosophy and also the branch responsible for the study of the existence of being.
Through metaphysics, an interpretation of the world is sought, on the nature, constitution and basic structures of reality.
What is?
The word metaphysics comes from the Greek and the prefix “meta” means “beyond”. The first philosopher to deal with the subject, in a systematic way, was Aristotle.
In fact, he himself called this idea “first philosophy”, because he understood that it would be the foundation of philosophical reflection. Thus, the term metaphysics was not coined by him but by one of his disciples who organized his work.
In addition to the “first philosophy”, Aristotle investigated the “science of being qua being”. So he was interested in questioning what makes the story different and at the same time particular.
Aristotle
Unlike Plato, Aristotle thought that the principles of reality are not in the intelligible world but in our world, the sensible. Reality is subject to time and space.
Aristotle stated that four causes condition the existence of beings:
- cause matterl: the body is composed of matter. like blood, skin, muscle, bone, etc.
- Form: if on one hand we have matter, we also have a form. One head, two arms, two legs etc. Thus, this form transforms us into unique beings that differ from others.
- Efficient: why do we exist? The first answer is because someone made us. This would be an answer from the field of “efficient cause”: we exist because we were created.
- Final: we exist for something. This answer transcends the previous one because we are facing a purpose, a goal. All beings were created for an end. The field of philosophy that studies him is called “teleology”.
Kant
It is common to hear that Kant (1724-1804) would have killed metaphysics. However, what Kant meant is that the human being is not able to answer certain metaphysical questions such as the existence of God and the soul, for example.
Kant will seek to value reason. If I cannot find rational proofs, I must not deal with these questions, or at least they do not belong to the field of reason.
So Kant will change the questions. Instead of asking what is true, he will ask himself how it is possible for the truth to exist.
Kant exposed his thoughts in the work "The Foundation of Moral Metaphysics", written in 1785.
Summary
The history of metaphysics is divided into three periods:
- First period: begins with Plato and Aristotle (between the IV and III centuries a. C.) and ends in David Hume (sec. XVIII). At this stage, metaphysics was understood as a reflection of being in its most general sense. One of the great scholars of this era will be Aquinas who will recover Aristotelian philosophy and apply it to his theological studies.
- Second period: starts with Immanuel Kant, during the 18th century, and ends in the 20th century with Edmund Husserl and his studies on the phenomenology. Kant will continue Hume's studies pointing out the primacy of reason over the transcendental questions raised by metaphysics.
- Third period: is the period from the second decade of the 20th century to the present day. It corresponds to studies of contemporary metaphysics. The most negative criticisms of metaphysics emerge with the recovery of the materialism and creation of positivism. On the other hand, at the end of the 20th century we have the resurgence of metaphysics through esoteric currents.
Ontology
The area of philosophy that deals with the nature of being, which is the reality and existence of things, and metaphysical issues in general is called ontology.
In a philosophical sense, it has several definitions and some authors consider it as the study of contemporary metaphysics.
The word results from the union of the Greek words ontos (to be) and logos (word).
ethic
Ethics is a set of moral systems that affect the way people make decisions. It can be defined as a moral philosophy.
The term ethic originates from the greek word ethos, which means habits, customs or character.
Ethics is addressed in different segments of society, such as religion, politics, philosophy and culture.
While metaphysics studies being qua being, ethics is concerned with cause and effect. For Aristotle, ethics is founded on metaphysics.
Epistemology
Epistemology is the study of the origin and acquisition of knowledge. So there is a specific area to check the validity of knowledge of metaphysics.
Currently, modern epistemology is based on two fundamental points: empiricism and rationalism.
Positivism
O positivism it is the mainstream in opposition to metaphysics. Positivist thought holds that the aim of science is logic. Emotions and thoughts are not considered.
Read more:
- What is history?
- ancient philosophy
- Christian Philosophy
- modern philosophy
- Contemporary Philosophy