Difference between revisions of "Metaphysics"
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| − | + | '''Metaphysics''' is the branch of [[philosophy]] concerned with the fundamental nature of reality. <ref>[http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/N095 Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy]</ref> It draws its name from 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. The term metaphysics was unknown to Aristotle, and he variously called this branch of philosophy "first science", "wisdom" [[Theology | theological science]]" (theologikê) and "first philosophy" (prôtê philosophia)<ref><ref>[http://www.seop.leeds.ac.uk/entries/metaphysics/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]</ref> | |
| − | In | + | In common usage, Metaphysics can also refer to philosophical speculation of any kind, even when not strictly philosophical, such as [[mysticism]] or [[New Age]]. |
[[Category:Philosophy]] | [[Category:Philosophy]] | ||
Revision as of 18:19, June 5, 2008
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy concerned with the fundamental nature of reality. [1] It draws its name from 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. The term metaphysics was unknown to Aristotle, and he variously called this branch of philosophy "first science", "wisdom" theological science" (theologikê) and "first philosophy" (prôtê philosophia)Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
In common usage, Metaphysics can also refer to philosophical speculation of any kind, even when not strictly philosophical, such as mysticism or New Age.