Metaphysics

Metaphysics:

• seeks to identify the structure of reality as far as possible through the rational analysis of common human experience
• operates beyond mere sensual observation and the mathematical analysis of phenomena
• Studies the nature of reality
• 2500 years ago
• concerned with ultimate nature of reality
• Ontology: general metaphysics, study of being - properties? numbers? events? universals existence - redness, squareness, beauty? Do these things exist outside of the thing they occupy.

Special Metaphysics:

• Cosmology:

• Rational psychology:

• Natural theology:

• Metaphysics was the shorthand for a category of books and essays that spoke about the subjects that transcend physics like the supernatural and the mysterious.

Topics under metaphysics

• development of reality viewed in its totality
• meaning and nature of being
• nature of mind, self, consciousness
• existence of God
• destiny of the Universe
• immortality of the soul

Catholic Perspective:

• Metaphysics should not be confused with the basis of theology: biblical revelation and a life of faith.
• BUT the Christian evaluates question the metaphysical in
  • the light of the wisdom which comes through biblical revelation
  • and the wisdom which comes from a life of prayer and relationship with Jesus Christ

Why does reality matter?

• Children may be afraid of the dark because they believe there is more in that space past what they can sense: touch, feel, hear, taste, see
• Their reality also includes the spiritual realm
• Somebody trying to comfort them may try to comfort the child by explaining that reality is only what can be sensed
• If the lack of sensing, harm and consequence makes something UNrea, then how do you know what IS real?

Thinking:

• Metaphysical questions are important ask because they are linked to what is important for us, what we need to pay attention to, what has significance and what matters.
• Following this line of though:
  • If ghosts are not real, they do not matter.
  • If gods are not real, they do not matter.
  • If the spiritual realm is not real, then it can make no difference in lives. Then only the material exists and is important.
  • Personal connection: spirituality makes a difference, does that confirm its’ reality? Despite the fact that it can’t be sensed on a physical plane? Or can it be?
  • People’s beliefs about reality will directly affect what they do in their lives and they strive for in their day-to-day.

Plato’s Forms:

• Consider justice, goodness, liberty, truth, beauty, love…  Are these real?

  \n Homework questions:

1. No because the experiences from others wouldnt be real and would not have the complexities of real life.

2. I agree to this but there is an easy way to get past this: what is real is what you believe is real. To say you want your experiences to be real and “physical” is a weak defense. The better justification is that you want to live in a world where not everything is predictable, guessable and unexpanding. You dont wanna live in a yes-man kind of a world. A good spouse does not always agree.

3. Reality is what you believe to be real. So if the person forgets they entered the machine, then that world is real. It is the lack of growth of character in the world is what is disturbing. Its like reading a book where the main character never gets in trouble.

4. An example of this is heartbreak. The more intense and vivid the emotional pain might be then, the more loving or real that relationship was. I do disagree on some level because sometimes your feelings arent felt due to them getting buried but they’re still there but it is important to feel those feelings to know that they are there. Implications include measurements of intensity, vividness and the definition of reality.

5. Having this be an existential crisis I once had, the way you know the world is real is because it forces you to grow. Things dont always go your way and force you to become a better person and this is how you know it is not just your own world.