Terminology Tuesday: Metaphysics

Metaphysics: The branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of reality. Literally, metaphysics is that which is "beyond" or "after" physics, since it deals with questions such as the following: Are the entities postulated by science real? Does God exist? Do numbers and other mathematical objects exist independently of the human mind?

The term is sometimes used pejoratively, to designate an attempt to develop an impossible "super science" that would achieve completeness and certainty. It is also used as a synonym for ontology, the name for the study of being.1

1. C.Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), pp. 74-75.

Sunday Quote: C. Stephen Evans on the God Question

"The question about God is not merely a question about another entity but a question about the character of the universe as a whole. The rejection of the cosmological argument implicitly carries with it a commitment to a rival metaphysical view, such as pantheism or naturalism. Ultimately, the question is not, 'Can God's existence be proved?' but 'Which metaphysical view is most plausible?'"

- C. Stephen Evans

1 C. Stephen Evans, Philosophy of Religion: Thinking About Faith (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1982), p. 59.

What was last year's post? See here.

Book Review: Metaphysics: Constructing a Worldview by William Hasker

Metaphysics: Constructing a World View by William Hasker is a relatively short book (124 pages), but contains a great deal of information. Surprisingly enough, although the topic of metaphysics may sound daunting, the subject matter is presented very simply. The reader will come away with a good overview of metaphysics and the common metaphysical issues.

Basically, metaphysics asks the questions of What is there? What is real? What is ultimate? What is man’s place in what is real? It is, essentially, how one views the world, reality, and man’s place in the world. The subtitle is appropriate, as an exploration of metaphysical questions really does begin to construct one’s worldview.