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Questions and Answers
What is metaphysics concerned with?
questions about the fundamental nature of existence, time, space, causation, and the ultimate reality.
What is the study of the origin, structure, and fate of the universe?
cosmology
What is the term for a fundamental entity that exists independently?
substance
What is the view that only physical matter exists and that everything can be explained in terms of physical laws?
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Who laid the foundations for metaphysics?
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What is the realization of a potentiality, such as a seed growing into a plant?
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Study Notes
Definition and Scope
- Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of reality, including the relationship between mind and matter, substance, and potentiality.
- It is concerned with questions about the fundamental nature of existence, time, space, causation, and the ultimate reality.
Branches of Metaphysics
- Ontology: the study of existence and what exists, including the nature of reality, being, and identity.
- Cosmology: the study of the origin, structure, and fate of the universe.
- Philosophy of Space and Time: the study of the nature of space and time, including their relationship to matter and motion.
Key Concepts
- Substance: a fundamental entity that exists independently, such as matter or energy.
- Attribute: a quality or property of a substance, such as shape, size, or color.
- Potentiality: the capacity of a substance to change or develop into something else.
- Actuality: the realization of a potentiality, such as a seed growing into a plant.
Types of Metaphysics
- Materialism: the view that only physical matter exists and that everything can be explained in terms of physical laws.
- Idealism: the view that mind or spirit is the fundamental reality and that matter is a manifestation of mind.
- Dualism: the view that both mind and matter exist as separate entities.
Historical Influences
- Ancient Greek philosophers: such as Plato and Aristotle, who laid the foundations for metaphysics.
- Medieval philosophers: such as Thomas Aquinas, who integrated Aristotelian metaphysics with Christian theology.
- Modern philosophers: such as Immanuel Kant, who developed the concept of transcendental idealism.
Key Debates
- Free will vs. Determinism: the debate over whether human actions are determined by prior causes or are the result of free will.
- Realism vs. Nominalism: the debate over whether universals (such as "redness" or "goodness") are real entities or merely useful concepts.
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Description
Test your understanding of metaphysics, a branch of philosophy that explores the nature of reality, including the relationship between mind and matter, time, space, and causation. Learn about the key concepts, branches, and debates in metaphysics.
