Metaphysics: meaning, definitions and examples

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metaphysics

[ˌmetəˈfiziks ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

study of

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of reality, including the relationship between mind and matter, substance and attribute, and possibility and actuality.

Synonyms

cosmology, ontology, philosophy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
metaphysics	Use this word when discussing abstract concepts related to existence, reality, and the nature of being. It often involves questions that science cannot fully address. His interest in metaphysics led him to ponder the nature of reality and existence. Metaphysics explores questions that go beyond the physical world.
ontology	Ontology deals with the study of being and existence, particularly focusing on the categories of being and their relations. It's often used in philosophy and logic. Ontology examines the fundamental categories of existence and their interrelations. His dissertation in philosophy focused on the ontology of virtual worlds.
cosmology	This term is specifically used when examining the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe. It has both scientific and philosophical implications. Cosmology seeks to understand how the universe began and what it is made of. She is studying cosmology to learn about the Big Bang and cosmic background radiation.
philosophy	This broad term encompasses the study of general and fundamental questions about knowledge, reality, and existence. It includes various branches like ethics, logic, and metaphysics. Philosophy encourages critical thinking and exploration of life's big questions. She majored in philosophy to understand different perspectives on truth and morality.

Examples of usage

Studying metaphysics helps us to understand the fundamental nature of existence.
Metaphysics explores questions about the ultimate nature of reality.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

abstract theory

In a more abstract sense, metaphysics can refer to the theoretical principles underlying a particular subject or field of study.

Synonyms

conceptual framework, theory.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
metaphysics	Use this word to talk about the part of philosophy that deals with explaining the nature of reality and the universe, questions that go beyond physical science. Aristotle's writings in metaphysics explore the idea of being and existence. Metaphysics often deals with questions like 'What is the nature of reality?'
theory	Best used when discussing an idea or set of ideas intended to explain facts or events, often supported by evidence and commonly used in both scientific and everyday contexts. Einstein's theory of relativity revolutionized physics. She proposed a new theory about the origin of the universe.
conceptual framework	This is typically used in academic and scientific contexts to describe a system of ideas and objectives that guide research, analysis, or theory development. Her dissertation used a conceptual framework to address complex social issues. The conceptual framework helped clarify the research objectives.

Word

Description / Examples

metaphysics

Use this word to talk about the part of philosophy that deals with explaining the nature of reality and the universe, questions that go beyond physical science.

Aristotle's writings in metaphysics explore the idea of being and existence.
Metaphysics often deals with questions like 'What is the nature of reality?'

theory

Best used when discussing an idea or set of ideas intended to explain facts or events, often supported by evidence and commonly used in both scientific and everyday contexts.

Einstein's theory of relativity revolutionized physics.
She proposed a new theory about the origin of the universe.

conceptual framework

This is typically used in academic and scientific contexts to describe a system of ideas and objectives that guide research, analysis, or theory development.

Her dissertation used a conceptual framework to address complex social issues.
The conceptual framework helped clarify the research objectives.

Examples of usage

The metaphysics of mathematics explores the nature of numbers and mathematical structures.
His metaphysical approach to literature focuses on the underlying philosophical assumptions.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from Greek, where 'meta' means beyond and 'physica' refers to nature.
Aristotle wrote a famous book called 'Metaphysics' where he explored concepts like existence and reality.
In ancient times, metaphysics was often included in philosophy as the study of the fundamental nature of reality.

Philosophy

Metaphysics deals with questions that are abstract, like the nature of time, space, and identity.
Many philosophers, such as Descartes and Kant, have contributed significantly to metaphysical discussions, influencing the way we think about reality.
Existentialism, a key philosophical movement, often overlaps with metaphysical inquiries about existence and being.

Science

Metaphysics intersects with physics, especially in areas discussing the nature of reality and what happens at a quantum level.
Theories in modern physics challenge classical metaphysical ideas, such as the concept of causality.
String theory and the multiverse concept are examples where metaphysical considerations blend with scientific inquiry.

Culture

Metaphysical themes are explored in literature, art, and films, prompting audiences to ponder existence and the nature of reality.
Contemporary fantasy and science fiction often tackle metaphysical questions, such as identity and reality versus illusion.
Music and poetry have also delved into metaphysics, addressing themes of existence, love, and the cosmos.

Psychology

The way we perceive reality affects our psychological state; metaphysical beliefs can influence our mental health and decision-making.
Many psychological theories explore consciousness, a core metaphysical concept regarding the nature of thought and awareness.
Metaphysical ideas can impact well-being by shaping personal beliefs about the self and existence, influencing how people cope with life challenges.

Translations

Translations of the word "metaphysics" in other languages:

🇵🇹 metafísica

🇮🇳 अधिभौतिकी

🇩🇪 Metaphysik

🇮🇩 metafisika

🇺🇦 метафізика

🇵🇱 metafizyka

🇯🇵 形而上学 (けいじじょうがく)

🇫🇷 métaphysique

🇪🇸 metafísica

🇹🇷 metafizik

🇰🇷 형이상학 (hyungisanghak)

🇸🇦 الميتافيزيقا

🇨🇿 metafyzika

🇸🇰 metafyzika

🇨🇳 形而上学 (xíng ér shàng xué)

🇸🇮 metafizika

🇮🇸 frumspeki

🇰🇿 метафизика

🇬🇪 მეტაფიზიკა

🇦🇿 metafizika

🇲🇽 metafísica

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,860, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10857 blues
10858 gall
10859 hemoglobin
10860 metaphysics
10861 propulsion
10862 irregularity
10863 disappearing
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