Metaphysics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Metaphysics - Essay ExampleIn this paper, the author examines the concept of metaphysics by surveying the changes in the use of the term, from the ancient, philosophic sense, to the contemporary esoteric sense, such as that found in New Age teachings. Ancient Metaphysics The term metaphysics was coined by Andronicus, the editor of Aristotles plant, to refer to the collection of literary works that dealt with a subject outside of physics, that is, Aristotles works on the natural or physical sciences. Aristotle himself did non refer to his works as being divided into the Physical and the Metaphysical. Instead, he somewhat classified his works as dealing primarily with the nature of the natural or physical world, and those that deal with first causes. just does it make sense to make such a distinction? It appears that it does make sense, because in seeking to meet the nature of the physical world, Aristotle argues that the latter is characterized by change. Thus, Aristotles physics deals with change. Consequently, the metaphysics or those beyond or aft(prenominal) the physics deals with first causes, or those that do not change. This latter point explains why the concept of existence is central to Aristotles metaphysics. ... In tackling the question of Being and existence, metaphysics deals essentially with the question of reality. In book 12 of his Metaphysics, Aristotle writes that the subject of our inquiry is burden for the principles and the causes we are seeking are those of substances. For if the universe is of the nature of a whole, substance is its first part (Metaphysics). Indeed, if the observable world is subject to change, of what substance is this world made of? Could there be an unchanging, hence, metaphysical substance? In other words, he was preoccupied with examining the nature of reality. Modern Metaphysics In the e-book, Metaphysics (2006), Ethan Vorly states that Metaphysics is the science of all realms, their laws and functions(2). He defines metaphysics as the study of multi-dimensional energies, forces and substances (5). This view of metaphysics clearly delves into the esoteric interpretation of the term. In discussing metaphysics on the lines of energy forces and dimensions of existence, Vorly has much in common with the Eastern philosophies of Taoism and Confucianism. For example, he writes of reality in terms of an eventual(prenominal) Reality, not very different from the Eastern concept of Tao. In this sense, an esoteric judgment of metaphysics is somewhat arranged with the ancient Greek conception of the term, to the extent that there is a search for an ultimate principle or substance, as Aristotle would refer to it. However, while the ancient Greek approach to the question of reality was meant to gain an understanding of the nature of reality itself, the modern esoteric interpretation of metaphysics tends