Difference between revisions of "Metaphysics"
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| − | In the narrowest sense, ''' | + | In the narrowest sense, '''metaphysics''' is the science that [[Aristotle]] called "the [[Theology | theological science]]" (theologikê), because its ultimate object is the nature of [[God]], and "first philosophy" (prôtê philosophia), both because it concerns the first causes of things, and because, in his view, it is foremost in importance. It is now called 'metaphysics' from the [[Greek]] meta ta phusika, meaning literally 'beyond physics', because the book comes after the [[Physics (Aristotle)| Physics]] in the order assigned by an editor of Aristotle's works, [[Andronicus of Rhodes]], about the year A.D. 70. |
| − | In a wider sense, Metaphysics refers to philosophical speculation of any kind, even when not strictly philosophical, such as [[ | + | In a wider sense, Metaphysics refers to philosophical speculation of any kind, even when not strictly philosophical, such as [[mysticism]] or [[New Age]]. |
[[Category:Philosophy]] | [[Category:Philosophy]] | ||
Revision as of 00:52, March 9, 2008
In the narrowest sense, metaphysics is the science that Aristotle called "the theological science" (theologikê), because its ultimate object is the nature of God, and "first philosophy" (prôtê philosophia), both because it concerns the first causes of things, and because, in his view, it is foremost in importance. It is now called 'metaphysics' from the Greek meta ta phusika, meaning literally 'beyond physics', because the book comes after the Physics in the order assigned by an editor of Aristotle's works, Andronicus of Rhodes, about the year A.D. 70.
In a wider sense, Metaphysics refers to philosophical speculation of any kind, even when not strictly philosophical, such as mysticism or New Age.