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Wikipedia defines Meta as
Meta (from the Greek μετα-, meta-, meaning “after” or “beyond”) is a prefix meaning more comprehensive or transcending
However within the modern English lexicon, there is a sub-meaning as found on Urban Dictionary which I find more useful:
1. Meta means about the thing itself. It’s seeing the thing from a higher perspective instead of from within the thing, like being self-aware.
If we take this definition, and pair it with the older (Greek) definition of physics (per wikipedia):
Physics (from Ancient Greek: φυσική (ἐπιστήμη), romanized: physikḗ (epistḗmē), lit. ’knowledge of nature’, from φύσις phýsis ‘nature’)
We come to a definition roughly along the line of: The knowledge of knowledge itself. I think there can be no better understanding of what metaphysics is. It is the contemplation of contemplation. The seeking of enlightenment through trying to define enlightenment.
It is, perhaps useful to look at Plato’s allegory of the cave. For those unfamiliar (Again from Wikipedia):
In the allegory, Socrates describes a group of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave all their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall from objects passing in front of a fire behind them and give names to these shadows. The shadows are the prisoners’ reality, but are not accurate representations of the real world.
Metaphysics, then is to try and, as the people in the cave, to define not the objects casting the shadows, but to try and define the fire itself.
But that’s just like, my opinion, man.
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I found a really good but somewhat dense essay that addresses this question at http://summit.sfu.ca/system/files/iritems1/9412/etd4407.pdf — lots of historical background and analysis, but not overly long.
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Metaphysical thought is simply the thought of anything that takes place outside the physical world and how those things effect the physical world. For example: Does something exist if no one knows it exists? To elaborate: Let’s say someone sees a deer in their backyard. If you have personally never seen a deer before, do you believe that statement to be possible? These are just a few ideas and examplea of metaphysical thought.
I hope this helps,
J. James, Ph.D, D.META -
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The traditional answer that “Metaphysics” is defined as the study of being and existence, focusing on questions about what it means for something to exist. As this school of thought examines the basic structure of reality, including concepts such as substance, causality, time, space, and possibility. Metaphysics seeks to answer profound questions like: What is the nature of reality?
I propose this question; it was the entire final exam for my graduation Philosophy exam in college. The professor enters the room and hands out blank sheets of paper. Test is to prove or disprove the physical nature of the “chair that he has just placed on his desk.” My response shocked the professor; I was given a “B”; as I did not defend my answer. The response I provided, was to immediately write and turn in this: “What Chair?”
How do you see my answer?
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