metaphysics
Meaning: The branch of philosophy that examines the fundamental nature of reality, including the relationship between mind and matter, substance and attribute, and possibility and actuality.
Metaphysics encompasses questions about existence, time, space, causation, and identity — matters that lie beyond the scope of empirical science. It includes sub-fields such as ontology (the study of being) and cosmology (the nature of the universe). In everyday language, 'metaphysical' is sometimes used loosely to mean abstract, spiritual, or supernatural, though this diverges from its precise philosophical meaning.
Examples
- The question of whether free will exists is one of the central problems of metaphysics. 自由意志是否存在,是形而上学的核心问题之一。La cuestión de si existe el libre albedrío es uno de los problemas centrales de la metafísica.自由意志が存在するかどうかという問いは、形而上学の中心的な問題の一つです。자유의지가 존재하는지의 문제는 형이상학의 핵심 문제 중 하나입니다.
- Her interest in metaphysics led her to explore questions about the nature of consciousness. 她对形而上学的兴趣引导她探索意识本质的问题。Su interés por la metafísica la llevó a explorar cuestiones sobre la naturaleza de la conciencia.形而上学への彼女の関心は、意識の本質に関する問いの探究へと導きました。형이상학에 대한 그녀의 관심은 의식의 본질에 관한 물음을 탐구하도록 이끌었습니다.
- Critics dismissed his arguments as metaphysics, arguing that they could never be tested empirically. 批评者将他的论点斥为形而上学,认为永远无法通过经验来验证。Los críticos desestimaron sus argumentos como metafísica, alegando que nunca podrían verificarse empíricamente.批評家たちは彼の議論を形而上学的だと退け、経験的に検証することは決してできないと主張しました。비평가들은 그의 논증을 형이상학적이라며 일축하고, 경험적으로 결코 검증할 수 없다고 주장했습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Greek ta meta ta physika (the things after the physics), referring to Aristotle's works that were catalogued after his treatise on physics. The prefix meta- (beyond) gave the word its sense of dealing with matters beyond the physical.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from General Advanced
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free