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Dealing With Metaphysics
What is metaphysics? Metaphysics is the study of ultimate reality. Dealing with metaphysical this
came from Aristotle. Philosophically speaking, it studies the objects to determine the real nature of
things. Between now and then, the society has become more advanced and smarter. How do the
people in current time see reality? How did the people back in
Aristotle's time see reality? While time progresses, the world will change altogether. Also, with the
society and the way we see things tend to change as well. What traditional metaphysical issues seem
important today?
In today's society, reality can be different to certain people. It can also change on a daily basis.
According to Aristotle, the choice of one theory over its rival is not in any...show more content...
Coming from the physics side of Aristotle's thought, "The more tangible things are considered to be
the most real things" (Solomon p. 81).
Taylor 2
Dealing with metaphysics comes from nature which always has a reason for it. In todays' reality I
think it still has its reason. Since technology is big in our time, how did iphones come about? Well
iphones had to come from apple and apple had to come from somebody that thought of it and
whoever thought about it had to have gotten from the inventors that invented the first telephone and
so on. Aristotle always had a chain reaction for his reason. Change is also a part of reality and
metaphysics. Reality is subject to change. Change is a part of reality
The example that is used in the book about the table and chairs, they are not primary beings because
Aristotle thinks of primary beings has their own nature. With us being humans our nature is to live
on earth but if we don't have oxygen and blood flowing through our veins then we cannot live on
earth; which goes back to the chain reaction. Aristotle's thinking made sense. Throughout life people
go through living asking why. He is the answer for some of
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Paper On Metaphysics
1. In the space provided, briefly describe and explain the philosophical topic of your paper.
The philosophical topic of my paper will be on metaphysics. Metaphysics is defined as the
discovery of the first abstract things, such as being, knowing, cause, identity, time and space. Basic
examples of metaphysics are as follows: understanding the nature of reality, viewing reality as whole,
understanding existence, and viewing time and space as a dynamic sustenance of life.
2. In the space provided, briefly identify your first philosopher, and describe and explain their
position. My first philosopher will be Plato. Plato created the theory of forms based upon his
learning from Socrates. Once Socrates was forced to take how own life Plato turned...show more
content...
In the space provided, briefly identify your second philosopher, and describe and explain their
position. My second philosopher will be Confucius. He believed that metaphysics was defined as
the belief that heaven and earth coexisted in an equal harmony. He believes that human beings are
sustained by these principles and must strived to meet and exceed those standards. Justice and
balance, another of Confucius principles, in today's time is in fact in equal harmony. For every
crime there is a balanced judgement that will be paid to balance the crime. For instance, murder
could equal death. 4. In the space provided, briefly identify your third philosopher, and describe
and explain their position. My third and final philosopher will be Zeno of Citium. He believed
that the entire universe that we know is God, a divine entity that knows all. He believes that the
God of the universe perceives, and for sees everything, as well as producing everything within the
realm, known as a divine fire. This everlasting fire never diminishes and continues to replenish
everything that may be lost, such as life, livestock, water, and air. Lastly, he believed that every
human had a soul, and that they were part of the universal soul, and that with each death there would
be a new life to replenish the death keeping the universe in perfect
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Immanuel Kant
In his publication, Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant supplies his
readers with a thesis that claims morality can be derived from the principle of the categorical
imperative. The strongest argument to support his thesis is the difference between actions in
accordance with duty and actions in accordance from duty. To setup his thesis, Kant first draws a
distinction between empirical and "a priori" concepts. Empirical concepts are ideas we reach from
our experiences in the world. On the other hand and in contrast, "a priori" concepts are ideas we
reach as an end point of reasoning prior to or apart from any experience of how things occur in the
world. Kant then claims that moral actions are supposed done for the...show more content...
The second proposition is that actions are judged by the "maxim" or principle that was the
motivation behind the action. If someone undertakes an action with the only motivation being
that of a sense of duty, they are following a valid "a priori" action. On the other hand if they decide
to undertake an action in order to bring about a desired result, then their motivation is one that is
beyond mere duty. Kant's third proposition then explains that is not the respect for the power of
the law but rather it is the moral motivation of an individual who acknowledges that the law is an
imperative of reason that trumps our other interests. The will, as Kant describes, is of practical
reason. A rational being is an individual who has the capacity to execute their behavior by the
conceptions of laws. This discipline of action is also known as the will. Our judgment that advises
us on our action is known as an imperative or a command to act on a certain motive. An imperative
can be either hypothetical or categorical. In the hypothetical imperative one acknowledges an action
as right or necessary if it is a manner in which to obtain or achieve a certain goal. As such you
would act on an action if a previous circumstance has taken place. These types of actions come
from our previous experiences and counsel us to a way in which our desires can be achieved. Thus,
an action cannot be held universally valid at all times if its goal is to acquire some
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The Philosophical Evolution Of Metaphysics Essay
The Philosophical Evolution of Metaphysics: The Influence of Metaphysics on Poets and How It
Pertains to Today Society.
Imagine, the year is 2150 and a student is sitting at her desk looking within at latest technology, she
thinks about lost poets that history books have shunned for the significance of more famous poets.
As a child in modern society, the importance of lesser known poets, such as Thomas Traherne and
George Herbert, are considered valuable for their philosophical influence in poetry. Over the course
of time literature has become a melting pot of ideas borrowed from other poets and literary works,
which are coagulated into one another to make a new idea. People in modern society need to
understand the importance of remembrance in the similarities in the backgrounds, metaphysical
influences, and written works of Thomas Traherne and George Herbert.
It is astonishing how both poets have similar upbringings with almost a 100–year gap between them.
The background of Thomas Traherne presented by Richard Firth has stated that "Thomas Traherne
was born within the wall of Hereford City in 1637 (page 1)." At the age of five, the British Civil
War marched into his town where they beheaded King Charles I. Later that year, Treharne left to
attend the Hereford Cathedral School. After graduation, he then attended Brasenose College in
Oxford, earning his BA (Bachelor of the Arts) in 1656. During the years of 1657–1660, he wrote his
first complete work titled, Select
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1.In your own words, define the term "metaphysics" as used in the discipline of philosophy. Use
examples from your reading of the textbook to illustrate at least two options in metaphysics.
My definition of Metaphysics: Philosophy is not something that can be explained so easily. It is
something complex and with several sides. One of those parts of philosophy is known as metaphysics
. Coincidently, metaphysics is known to be the base of philosophy. Metaphysics is the study of
reality. Metaphysicians ask themselves these type questions: what is reality? Does anything exist? Is
anything that we see or believe in real?
My examples of metaphysics from the book: I will be using Plato and Aristotle's metaphysics
examples. Interestingly enough,...show more content...
This just means that he believes in two realities: The reality of physical things and the reality of
the immaterial things (Lavine 26). The reality of physical objects consists of material things
existing. Not only were they real, but they exist within time and space. These objects in the
material world are everchanging; They grow, die, change, and can be witnessed through our senses
(Lavine 26). Material objects can be anything that we see and that changes within our world:
people, animals, plants, cars and anything else that is tangible. On the other hand, the objects in the
immaterial world do not exist in our physical world, within time or space. They are essentially the
essences of the objects in the material world, they never change. (Lavine 26). Much like blueprints
depict an original design and the objects built are essentially just copies of the original model. This
is Plato's metaphysics.
The definition of an Eternal Form: The subject of an Eternal Form comes directly from Plato's
theory of forms. Plato refers to the objects in the immaterial world as forms or concepts (Lavine
37). These concepts provide us with the necessary information about our objects in the physical
world (Lavine 37). They are essentially an original blueprint of any object providing us with the
common knowledge of all things that are like each other. These concepts are the original and
unchanging
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Questions On The Philosophy Of Metaphysics
Edina Pepic
Metaphysics
04–04–15Midterm 1. What is the project of metaphysics? How did the early Greek Philosophers
develop the issue? What were their enduring contributions, the diversity of their responses and the
abiding issues that will engage the subsequent tradition?
The project of Metaphysics is the study of existence; Metaphysics purpose is to answer, "What is
reality." Metaphysics reviews everything in the world that exists, although Metaphysics is a small
part of Philosophy it is very important and is considered the base of Philosophy. The reason the
project of Metaphysics is important is because the simple question what is for real has helped
shape our world and allowed us to grow and develop overtime. Metaphysics is to speak about
being and think about existence in general, general characteristics of being, and why there is
something rather than nothing. The early Greek Philosophers developed the issue of asking,
"what is" by answering the question of "what is the essence of being." The philosophers did not
all agree on what the essence of being is and each had their own opinion on the matter. Thales
believed that the essence is being is water; Anaximander believed it was matter, Xenophanes
believed it was the earth, and Heraclites believed it was fire, Democritus believed it was atoms and
the void. Pythagoras believed that reality was numbers and geometric form for being real because
they are in your mind, and Parmenides believed that "which is, and
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Metaphysics: The Existence Of Good And Evil
Metaphysics
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come,
the Almighty," (Revelation 1:8). He is saying that he has always existed and will always exist for
eternity. I believe that and I also believe that the physical and the spiritual realm exist. The
spiritual realm is very real; good and evil actually exist. Angels and demons actually exist and are
very real. In fact, they are at work even today. I believe angels protect people and demons oppress
them. I believe that what is really real are things you can touch, smell, feel, taste, see, and hear. This
also includes the spiritual world, I cannot always see the spiritual world, but I may feel it. Or I
might get small glimpses of the...show more content...
"Human nature is that which makes us distinctly human. Our nature is distinct from that of the
animals and the rest of creation in that we can think and feel. One of the chief distinctions between
human beings and the rest of creation is our ability to reason," (Gotquestions). The definition of
human nature is the general psychological characteristics, feelings, and behavioral traits of
humankind, regarded as shared by all humans. The nature of mankind is that we are naturally selfish
and self–centered, we all are sinners. Are humans the center of the universe? We seem to think we
are, we seem to live as if the entire world revolved around us. In the 16th century, it was a popular
belief that the sun revolves around the earth. However, Galileo believed that the earth revolves
around the sun and this caused quite a ruckus with the other citizens. They caused quite an uproar
because the people thought that the earth was at the center of the universe, not the sun. Are humans
motivated by a hierarchy of needs? I think people are motivated by what they want because humans
are naturally selfish and self–centered. If someone wants food, they will get food. If someone wants
money, they will most likely find a way to get money. Some people will do whatever it takes to get
what they want, they will lie or steal to get what they
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Metaphysics Is The Study Of Reality Essay
Meta refers to the Meaning of after or beyond. Metaphysics is the study of reality. On the other
hand, Kit Fine describes Metaphysics as follows; "it 's the study of the most general features of
reality." Thus, it is the philosophical study of any widespread characteristics of reality. The study of
the nature of the existence of a characteristic will let metaphysician answer and bring about theories
for it being there. Some questions Metaphysician think of are as follows: Is there an Evil Demon? If
there is a Demon can we control what we do? Are the things we do already determinant?
Philosophers try to solve or bring about theories of the nature of any feature in the world. Although
the answer is not accurate and trustworthy, their theories will bring about ideas of the nature of their
existence. While some mistakenly thinks of metaphysical questions as being scientific questions,
scientific questions are usually revolves around either being measurable or experimental, thus the
questions that follow: What is the source of planets? That is experimental, what is the speed of an
object in motion? That is measurable, or how can we determine the speed on of an object? That is
experimental. Some might believe that metaphysical questions are not that useful, thus meaningless,
but individuals believe that the question brought up leads to the development of scientific question
that could and might have some usefulness for the people.
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that studies
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Metaphysics as Addressed by Kant and Hume Essay
Metaphysics as Addressed by Kant and Hume
In the Prolegomena, Kant states that reading David Hume, "awakened him from his dogmatic
slumber." It was Hume's An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding that made Kant aware of
issues and prejudices in his life that he had previously been unaware of. This further prompted Kant
to respond to Hume with his own analysis on the theory of metaphysics. Kant did not feel that Hume
dealt with these matters adequately and resolved to pick up where Hume had left off, specifically
addressing the question of whether metaphysics as a science is possible.
Hume basically asserted in his writings that metaphysics, as a science, is not possible. He
specifically drew on the theory of "causality",...show more content...
Brought to light now are more of Kant's theories, influenced of course by Hume. Synthetic
judgements– as opposed to analytical judgements– are judgements based on experience. A priori is
another term that he uses as well. It is defined by Hume as uninfluenced by experience. Essentially
he is asking a question that doesn't seem possible– can we make judgements based on experience,
with out actually experiencing it.
To answer this seemingly unanswerable question, Kant divides metaphysics into two forms– the
general and the special. General metaphysics incorporates universal terms– everything that we can
make general statements about with some validity. Special metaphysics, on the other hand, deals
with separate and higher beings– there are deep roots in theology and religious beliefs in this aspect
of metaphysics. This distinction allows him to view metaphysics in two different ways with two
different outcomes.
Kant's next step is crucial in dealing with the problem of metaphysics. He now takes what he calls
the Copernican turn. Like Copernicus, Kant believes that we should not look to what we experience,
but rather how we experience. Copernicus, in his theory on the apparent motion of the sun, turned
away from the accepted belief that the earth revolves around the sun, a belief
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Example Of Metaphysics Essay
What is meant by Metaphysics? Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of
reality, including the relationship between mind and matter, substance and attribute, fact and value.
The central branch of metaphysics is known as ontology. This dives into the kinds of things that exist
in the world and relations these things bear on one another. However, other areas that a
metaphysician attempts to clarify may be how people understand the world, including existence,
object hood, space and time to name a few.
A more delicacy view is that a metaphysical statement is not meaningless. There is no valid set of
practical observations or any valid set of logical arguments to prove that metaphysical statements are
true or...show more content...
You don't know what you will need to know and what you don't need to know. Sometimes we don't
ever know what we do know.
Experience is a form of knowing what's what. We know from past experiences. For example, if a
piece of metal is glowing red you know that it is hot or if a piece of meat has an odor you know it
is bad. These are all from experience. We know things are what they are by seeing, touching, and
smelling, which equates to experience.
Making mistakes and learning from them is a way to know. Lets say you put a pen in your pocket,
it leaks you are less likely to make that same mistake therefore, you know putting a pen in your
pocket might not be such a good idea. You might not know you made a mistake until you know what
you did. It could look something like this, mistake + learning = knowing.
Knowing cannot provide answers to thorny situations such as terrorism or abortions. They can help
us understand what type of relevant knowledge we need and provide context for the knowledge and
decisions that need to be made. These types of things are more assumed than known. These subjects
are relevant to everyone, even if they are not realized consciously, but everyone should know a bit
more about everything.
Investigating the world of knowing is a natural process in a natural world. One cannot pretend to
know what the outcome will be, but can prove it to be useful until something better has been
developed.
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Explain The Derivation Of The Word Metaphysics
Explain the derivation of the word Metaphysics?
According to the text "Philosophy the power of ideas," the word metaphysics derives from a set of
Aristotle's writings known as 'Physics", stated in the text from the Greek word "physika, which
means "the things of nature." Provide possible interpretations of the question, what is the nature of
being?
The question "what is the nature of being?" can be interpreted as what are the characteristics of
your existence or even as simple as how are you living? We are all "beings" and for the most part
we exist but in what nature or what sense? The nature of being can also be interpreted as human
behavior as well because the condition of your being can be based on your nature or behavior.
Compare and...show more content...
Are they real in fact?
No, appearances are not real to Plato. Appearances are how things seem to you and according to
Plato they are not real. They are not real in fact because we get things wrong all the time, one
example is how we miscommunicate because of how things may appear to us.
Chapter 4 Questions
What are the four Aristotelian causes of a baseball?
The four Aristotelian causes of a baseball are the material of the ball comes into being. For
example the material that the baseball is made of. The second is the formal cause that defines the
object, the fact that its round. The third Aristotelian cause of a baseball is it's efficient cause and the
final cause is that for the sake of why the object exist or its purpose.
Aristotle believed that if individual horses did not exist, there would be no such thing as the Form
horse. Is this correct?
Yes it is correct in the sense of form. Thus individual horses doesn't exist because there are all still a
horse. There is nothing to differentiate them from another form so there is no individuality.
Are universals real? In what sense?
Can there be essences without
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Metaphysics Of Religion Essay
Metaphysics, religion, spirituality. All of these just trying to find an answer to what's The Point,
really? And the point is, that nobody really knows. Well, one can say that the people who have
experienced clinical death might have a bit of an insight; yes, – but still, nobody knows for sure. And
that's what is to be expected. Metaphorically speaking, a river can't understand how the ocean
functions, it can only have a feeling about it.
This is one reason why religious wars and conflicts should seem quite ridiculous. Religion, as long as
it doesn't oppress, harm or discriminate against someone, really shouldn't be a cause of any fight –
what does it matter if your neighbor believes in one god or thirty gods? Mahatma Gandhi said:
"God has no religion." And that is profoundly true. Different religions seem to work for their
believers. Catholic mass has power, Buddhist relics have power, and so does a spiritual healer. It is
all the same. People have come to their spiritual knowledge (or religions, if you wish) in different
ways, influencing this...show more content...
I've happened to witness the power of different religions and temples, as well as encounters with
spirits, so I believe the spirit world exists. Looking at the complexity of creation I wouldn't say that
all life emerged by coincidence – there seems to be a definite presence of conscious energy. Most
religious people call this energy God. Many also handpick some higher spirits and call them God. I
myself rather abstain from the word, as I can't define this energy, I don't and can't really know
enough about it. I definitely avoid assigning a gender to it – it would be as truthful as the bees
naming their beekeeper the Queen Bee. So when many people use the word "God", I stick with The
Great Spirit. Why? This energy seems to have an amazing consciousness and, while everybody is
inherently a spirit, if there is any spirit that is great then this one would be
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Metaphysics
Metaphysics Introduction Philosophers love to argue points or defend points that seem either
brutally obvious to lay people or so obscure as to wonder about the mental health of the
philosopher. For some philosophers, nitpicking and countering previously accepted arguments
about causes of actions is along the way totally confusing a college student desperately trying to
grasp the mysterious ideas a way of life. For example, Wayne Davis references a way to disprove
the "causal theory" (it holds that "actions done for a reason are explained by the agent's beliefs
and desires") (Davis, 2005, p. 58). Mary, for example, turned on the light switch not because she
had any particular belief that there was too much light but because she believed there was not
enough light. The argument ensuing from that position (based on Donald Davidson's theory) is:
even if "...beliefs and desires cause actions that are done for reasons, the contents of those beliefs
and desires are irrelevant" to the fact that Mary produced the action at the light switch (Davis, 58).
Hence, Davis has proved that since the reasons why Mary acted are irrelevant, from that
perspective the causal theory can thus be undermined (58). Meanwhile, the question, "what is a
cause" will be approached in the philosophical / metaphysical sense in this paper. What is a Cause?
Why search for an analysis of causation in the first place? (Liebesman, 2011). David Lewis offers
this reason: the myriad variables of causation
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Metaphysics Essay example
Metaphysics
Whereas sciences deal with particular kinds of beings, metaphysics is concerned with beings as
such. According to Aristotle, there is no such thing as mere being; to be is always to be a substance
or object, a quantity, a quality, or a member of some other basic category.
I.Substance and Accidents
Substance is the primary mode of being according to Aristotle. The world is not one of atoms or
particles, even though they have a place in the world. The basic notion of Aristotle's logic reflects a
distinction in the way reality is structured and reflects the basic way that we view reality. Substance
is whatever is a natural kind of thing and exists in its own right. Examples are rocks, trees, animals
and the like....show more content...
Aristotle's theory was firmly rooted in his broader metaphysics, according to which all things are a
combination of matter—a sometimes shadowy, indefinite substance with the potential to
become most anything—and form which transforms matter into actual particular things.
Aristotle felt that part of the procedure of "becoming" required two things, the matter as a
substratum and the form. The form functions, shapes and defines the thing. Both matter and the
form, according to Aristotle, were transcendent and imperishable entities. Matter and form were
never separated from one from the other. Matter cannot exist without form, and form cannot exist
without matter. The most important and the most valuable is form. This applies equally to the
creations of man and to the creations of nature.
III.The Four Causes
Aristotle's doctrine of the four causes is easily misunderstood. To charge Aristotle with having only a
dim understanding of causality, however is to accuse him of missing a target he wasn't even aiming
at. It is natural for us to think of Aristotle's "causes" in terms of our notion of cause–and–effect,
however this is misleading in several ways. We must keep this in mind whenever we use the word
"cause" in connection with his doctrine.
Aristotle drew from the attempts of all his predecessors, and learned from their mistakes. There are
different ways of answering the question of why things are as they are. These ways of
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Metaphysics As The Tree Of Philosophy
In the words of the French philosopher Descartes, "The whole of philosophy is like a tree: the roots
are metaphysics, the trunk is physics, and the branches that issue from the trunk are all the other
sciences . . ."
But in what soil do the roots of the tree of philosophy have their hold? What are the nourishing
elements for the roots and the tree? Or in other words, what is the basis of metaphysics, and what is
metaphysics itself?
Metaphysics thinks about beings as beings, and beings as such are in sight. Metaphysical
representation owes this sight to the light of Being but this light does not come within the range of
metaphysical domain. In other words, metaphysics inquire about the Being, which is the source of
this light, but the light...show more content...
But how it manifests itself, it remains obscure. Being in its revelatory essence, i.e., in its truth, is not
recalled. Nevertheless, when metaphysics gives answers to its question concerning beings as such,
metaphysics speaks out of the unnoticed revealedness of Being. The truth of Being may thus be
called the ground in which metaphysics, as the root of the tree of philosophy, is kept and from which
it is nourished.
Metaphysics, as the root of the tree of philosophy, sends all nourishment to the trunk and
branches. The tree of philosophy grows out of the soil in which metaphysics is rooted. The
ground is where the root of the tree lives, but the growth of the tree is never able to absorb this
soil in a manner that it makes it disappear in the tree as part of the tree. Instead, the root loses itself
in the soil where it forgets itself for the sake of the tree.
Metaphysics, since it represents beings as only beings, does not recall Being itself. Philosophy does
not concentrate on its ground. Insofar as a philosopher sets out to experience the ground of
metaphysics and attempts to recall the truth of Being itself instead of merely representing beings as
beings, his thinking leaves metaphysics. From the point of view of metaphysics, such thinking goes
back into the ground of
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Immanuel Kant’s Metaphysics Essay
Immanuel Kant's Metaphysics
THEME
In regard to Metaphysics, Kant's results were seemingly the opposite to what he strove to achieve,
cf. the claim, in his Introduction, that "In this enquiry . . . I venture to assert that there is not a
single metaphysical problem which has not been solved, or for the solution of which the key has
not been supplied." In the summing up of his Prolegomena, he records with evident pride in
achievement: "Anyone who has read through and grasped the principles of the CPR . . . will look
forward with delight to metaphysics, which is now indeed in his power."
Yet the image of an "Alleszermalmer" persists, who dismantled the foundations of a philosophical
edifice which had barely withstood the...show more content...
Let me therefore begin at the beginning with a well–articulated statement of principle:
If one and the same faculty of reason is employed in empirical and metaphysical judgement, and the
empirical employment of reason is legitimate, then so should be its metaphysical employment; and if
metaphysics results in contradictions, then reason as a whole contradicts itself . . . Because the
problem of metaphysics is ultimately a matter of reason's relation to itself, the route to its solution,
Kant argues, must also be reflexive. That is, reason must examine itself. [Gardner 21–2].
This identifies the claim by Kant to have wrought a 'copernican revolution' in philosophy. The whole
perspective is rotated by 180ЕЎ: not the world imposing its meaning, but meaning imposing on the
world.
II
Knowledge and intuition
Kant's first step, furnishing arguments in favour of the apriority of metaphysical cognition, is
evidently mandatory. He shows initially that there is no inferring from veridical observations upon
"the riddle of the universe", while conclusions about what is are not necessarily divulged by causal
entanglements between empirical phenomena. Kant in fact claims that the character of metaphysical
knowledge is intrinsically a priori and synthetic along with mathematics, geometry and natural
science. [B14–18].
In all these disciplines, recourse must be had to concepts. Kant points out that thinking is possible
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Metaphysics Essay
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is the philosophical study whose object is to determine the real nature of things to
determine the meaning, structure and principles of whatever is insofar as it is. (Britannica.com).
So if the sole purpose of metaphysics is to determine the true meaning of things but everything isn't
absolute what is the purpose of metaphysics? The nature of the world can be a ever changing
thing. Depending on the generation, part of the world or even when you were born into your
family (ex. first, middle or baby child) your views can change. The view that I have is that the
world is not only chaos but in total chaos. The definition of chaos from Websters Dictionary, is a
state of things in which
chance...show more content...
The hate that can exists because of different beliefs and lifestyles extends to our country because
some groups of people cannot understand or like the freedom that our country has. This and many
other things contributes to the chaos around the world. As long as there is people and cultures
around in different parts of the world there will always be differences and peace will be something
that we as a society and as a world will strive for. A world without chaos how would that be? I
don't think anyone would know or how could we handle it if it did happen. Our minds do seek
order out of chaos with out a question. Like I said, I think that all the chaos in the world leads to
disagreements then to war. In some way or another I think the solution that we as humans to seek
out order in our minds we go to war. True not all the time do we go to war sometimes we have a
peace summit or something of that sorts. But order in peoples minds seems like it only comes
when they get there way or they are almost forced to take that point of view. Like we have learned,
metaphysics isn't always final nor absolute when it comes to nature or science. If you want you can
almost come up with an argument for anything about anything. My statements in this paper might be
true or they might be totally off, but can anything in philosophy be wrong because it's just thoughts
and your own opinion. So basically I think the world is in
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Leibniz's Discourse On Metaphysics
The Best of All Possible Worlds, or How to Be Optimistic Regardless of Circumstance In Leibniz's
Discourse on Metaphysics the slightly disconcerting claim is made that this world is the best of all
possible worlds. Leibniz's optimistic claim about the nature of reality arises out of his definition of
God, and in the process of laying his arguments many pieces of Leibniz's metaphysics can be found.
Leibniz reconciles both free will and the problem of evil with his claim about the condition of the
universe along with creating the foundations for an ethics based on intent rather than outcome.
Although Voltaire's Candide rather famously satirizes Leibniz's ideas its objection is weak, and a
stronger objection lies in Leibniz's determinism and the possibility of random chance.
To understand Leibniz's assertion about the moral nature of our world it is first necessary to
understand his conception of God. Leibniz defines God as, "an absolutely perfect being" (Leibniz
1). As a perfect being God is, of course, omnipotent and omniscient, but he is also perfectly good and
acts in, "the most perfect manner....show more content...
In explicit terms Leibniz lays out that God follows morality as opposed to God determining
morality. Thus it is conceivable that the best world that God could make would be one that includes
the possibility of random chance. The moral implications of such a universe and the arguments for
why random chance would be desirable are beyond the scope of this paper, however it is sufficient
here to say that the idea of random chance poses a credible threat to Leibniz's metaphysical
optimism, though the debate over the truth may rage through to the establishment of the Republic of
Minds, if such a state should come to
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Plato 's System Of Metaphysics
Adrian Farrales
Introduction to Philosophy
Metaphysics
11/6/14
Plato's system of metaphysics revolves around the concept of Eidos, or forms. A form is the
perfect and truest instance of a particular idea. In the world, we find particular instances of each
form. For example, a certain pen is a particular instance of the form of pen. Every single pen in the
world contributes to the form of pen. This contribution of particulars to the forms is called
mathexis in Greek, or simply, participation. The participation of all particulars help to define and
derive common characteristics of the form. Using the pen example, all pens function as a writing
utensil, usually contain some form of ink, and generally are cylindrical. Every pen is somewhat
imperfect and has flaws of some sort. Regarding ontology, these forms are the highest level of reality
and the purest form of existence, while the particulars are imperfect and cheap
imitations.Regarding our senses, Plato believed that the world we live in, that is the world of
particulars, is an illusion because the most real world would be the world of the forms. Thus our
senses are not accurate and our sense perceptions are merely copies of the forms. Plato exemplifies
this in the allegory of the cave, portraying a false sense of reality. Plato believed that these forms
are innate to human beings, as we were born with them. By doing philosophy, we undergo a process
of recollection of these forms, ultimately
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Metaphysics Essay
Metaphysics
Metaphysics can be defined as an attempt to comprehend the basic characteristics of reality. It is in
fact so basic that it is all inclusive, whether something is observable or not. It answers questions of
what things must be like in order to exist and how to differentiate from things that seem real but are
not. A common thought is that reality is defined as what we can detect from our five senses. This
type of philosophy is called empiricism, which is the idea that all knowledge comes from our senses.
An empiricist must therefore believe that what we can see, touch, taste, smell, and hear must be real
and that if we can not in fact see, touch, taste, smell, or hear something, it is definitely not real.
However, this is a...show more content...
Other people do not believe in it. Another important aspect of metaphysics is that reality is separate
from our minds. We can not affect or change things just by thinking about them. However, some
metaphysicians believe that our feelings are more real than what we can sense because our feelings
are first–hand and come from our body. They must in fact be real because we are more aware of
them. Metaphysics basically describes what people do everyday in their lives. People have a
constant need to differentiate between what's real and what's not. In our everyday life, we are
faced with appearances and materialistic things. Metaphysics can even relate to beauty. What's
beautiful to one person may be repulsive to another and vice versa. Beauty is something that we
can see, but it's not a physical object that can be sensed. Does this mean that it is not real?
Empirically, yes. As people get older, they can better distinguish between real and not real. As
stated in the textbook, a person must balance reality and their dreams, goals, etc, because both
things are important. Fantasy, such as our dreams and goals, are part of being human and for
some people, it is a purpose of life. If we only lived in "reality," there would be nothing to strive for
because everyone would live based on what we know from our five senses. As long as people can
keep a balance between the two, they can live a "normal" life in which they know what's real, but
they can
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Metaphysics Essay

  • 1. Dealing With Metaphysics What is metaphysics? Metaphysics is the study of ultimate reality. Dealing with metaphysical this came from Aristotle. Philosophically speaking, it studies the objects to determine the real nature of things. Between now and then, the society has become more advanced and smarter. How do the people in current time see reality? How did the people back in Aristotle's time see reality? While time progresses, the world will change altogether. Also, with the society and the way we see things tend to change as well. What traditional metaphysical issues seem important today? In today's society, reality can be different to certain people. It can also change on a daily basis. According to Aristotle, the choice of one theory over its rival is not in any...show more content... Coming from the physics side of Aristotle's thought, "The more tangible things are considered to be the most real things" (Solomon p. 81). Taylor 2 Dealing with metaphysics comes from nature which always has a reason for it. In todays' reality I think it still has its reason. Since technology is big in our time, how did iphones come about? Well iphones had to come from apple and apple had to come from somebody that thought of it and whoever thought about it had to have gotten from the inventors that invented the first telephone and so on. Aristotle always had a chain reaction for his reason. Change is also a part of reality and metaphysics. Reality is subject to change. Change is a part of reality The example that is used in the book about the table and chairs, they are not primary beings because Aristotle thinks of primary beings has their own nature. With us being humans our nature is to live on earth but if we don't have oxygen and blood flowing through our veins then we cannot live on earth; which goes back to the chain reaction. Aristotle's thinking made sense. Throughout life people go through living asking why. He is the answer for some of Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 2. Paper On Metaphysics 1. In the space provided, briefly describe and explain the philosophical topic of your paper. The philosophical topic of my paper will be on metaphysics. Metaphysics is defined as the discovery of the first abstract things, such as being, knowing, cause, identity, time and space. Basic examples of metaphysics are as follows: understanding the nature of reality, viewing reality as whole, understanding existence, and viewing time and space as a dynamic sustenance of life. 2. In the space provided, briefly identify your first philosopher, and describe and explain their position. My first philosopher will be Plato. Plato created the theory of forms based upon his learning from Socrates. Once Socrates was forced to take how own life Plato turned...show more content... In the space provided, briefly identify your second philosopher, and describe and explain their position. My second philosopher will be Confucius. He believed that metaphysics was defined as the belief that heaven and earth coexisted in an equal harmony. He believes that human beings are sustained by these principles and must strived to meet and exceed those standards. Justice and balance, another of Confucius principles, in today's time is in fact in equal harmony. For every crime there is a balanced judgement that will be paid to balance the crime. For instance, murder could equal death. 4. In the space provided, briefly identify your third philosopher, and describe and explain their position. My third and final philosopher will be Zeno of Citium. He believed that the entire universe that we know is God, a divine entity that knows all. He believes that the God of the universe perceives, and for sees everything, as well as producing everything within the realm, known as a divine fire. This everlasting fire never diminishes and continues to replenish everything that may be lost, such as life, livestock, water, and air. Lastly, he believed that every human had a soul, and that they were part of the universal soul, and that with each death there would be a new life to replenish the death keeping the universe in perfect Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 3. Immanuel Kant In his publication, Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant supplies his readers with a thesis that claims morality can be derived from the principle of the categorical imperative. The strongest argument to support his thesis is the difference between actions in accordance with duty and actions in accordance from duty. To setup his thesis, Kant first draws a distinction between empirical and "a priori" concepts. Empirical concepts are ideas we reach from our experiences in the world. On the other hand and in contrast, "a priori" concepts are ideas we reach as an end point of reasoning prior to or apart from any experience of how things occur in the world. Kant then claims that moral actions are supposed done for the...show more content... The second proposition is that actions are judged by the "maxim" or principle that was the motivation behind the action. If someone undertakes an action with the only motivation being that of a sense of duty, they are following a valid "a priori" action. On the other hand if they decide to undertake an action in order to bring about a desired result, then their motivation is one that is beyond mere duty. Kant's third proposition then explains that is not the respect for the power of the law but rather it is the moral motivation of an individual who acknowledges that the law is an imperative of reason that trumps our other interests. The will, as Kant describes, is of practical reason. A rational being is an individual who has the capacity to execute their behavior by the conceptions of laws. This discipline of action is also known as the will. Our judgment that advises us on our action is known as an imperative or a command to act on a certain motive. An imperative can be either hypothetical or categorical. In the hypothetical imperative one acknowledges an action as right or necessary if it is a manner in which to obtain or achieve a certain goal. As such you would act on an action if a previous circumstance has taken place. These types of actions come from our previous experiences and counsel us to a way in which our desires can be achieved. Thus, an action cannot be held universally valid at all times if its goal is to acquire some Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 4. The Philosophical Evolution Of Metaphysics Essay The Philosophical Evolution of Metaphysics: The Influence of Metaphysics on Poets and How It Pertains to Today Society. Imagine, the year is 2150 and a student is sitting at her desk looking within at latest technology, she thinks about lost poets that history books have shunned for the significance of more famous poets. As a child in modern society, the importance of lesser known poets, such as Thomas Traherne and George Herbert, are considered valuable for their philosophical influence in poetry. Over the course of time literature has become a melting pot of ideas borrowed from other poets and literary works, which are coagulated into one another to make a new idea. People in modern society need to understand the importance of remembrance in the similarities in the backgrounds, metaphysical influences, and written works of Thomas Traherne and George Herbert. It is astonishing how both poets have similar upbringings with almost a 100–year gap between them. The background of Thomas Traherne presented by Richard Firth has stated that "Thomas Traherne was born within the wall of Hereford City in 1637 (page 1)." At the age of five, the British Civil War marched into his town where they beheaded King Charles I. Later that year, Treharne left to attend the Hereford Cathedral School. After graduation, he then attended Brasenose College in Oxford, earning his BA (Bachelor of the Arts) in 1656. During the years of 1657–1660, he wrote his first complete work titled, Select Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 5. 1.In your own words, define the term "metaphysics" as used in the discipline of philosophy. Use examples from your reading of the textbook to illustrate at least two options in metaphysics. My definition of Metaphysics: Philosophy is not something that can be explained so easily. It is something complex and with several sides. One of those parts of philosophy is known as metaphysics . Coincidently, metaphysics is known to be the base of philosophy. Metaphysics is the study of reality. Metaphysicians ask themselves these type questions: what is reality? Does anything exist? Is anything that we see or believe in real? My examples of metaphysics from the book: I will be using Plato and Aristotle's metaphysics examples. Interestingly enough,...show more content... This just means that he believes in two realities: The reality of physical things and the reality of the immaterial things (Lavine 26). The reality of physical objects consists of material things existing. Not only were they real, but they exist within time and space. These objects in the material world are everchanging; They grow, die, change, and can be witnessed through our senses (Lavine 26). Material objects can be anything that we see and that changes within our world: people, animals, plants, cars and anything else that is tangible. On the other hand, the objects in the immaterial world do not exist in our physical world, within time or space. They are essentially the essences of the objects in the material world, they never change. (Lavine 26). Much like blueprints depict an original design and the objects built are essentially just copies of the original model. This is Plato's metaphysics. The definition of an Eternal Form: The subject of an Eternal Form comes directly from Plato's theory of forms. Plato refers to the objects in the immaterial world as forms or concepts (Lavine 37). These concepts provide us with the necessary information about our objects in the physical world (Lavine 37). They are essentially an original blueprint of any object providing us with the common knowledge of all things that are like each other. These concepts are the original and unchanging Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 6. Questions On The Philosophy Of Metaphysics Edina Pepic Metaphysics 04–04–15Midterm 1. What is the project of metaphysics? How did the early Greek Philosophers develop the issue? What were their enduring contributions, the diversity of their responses and the abiding issues that will engage the subsequent tradition? The project of Metaphysics is the study of existence; Metaphysics purpose is to answer, "What is reality." Metaphysics reviews everything in the world that exists, although Metaphysics is a small part of Philosophy it is very important and is considered the base of Philosophy. The reason the project of Metaphysics is important is because the simple question what is for real has helped shape our world and allowed us to grow and develop overtime. Metaphysics is to speak about being and think about existence in general, general characteristics of being, and why there is something rather than nothing. The early Greek Philosophers developed the issue of asking, "what is" by answering the question of "what is the essence of being." The philosophers did not all agree on what the essence of being is and each had their own opinion on the matter. Thales believed that the essence is being is water; Anaximander believed it was matter, Xenophanes believed it was the earth, and Heraclites believed it was fire, Democritus believed it was atoms and the void. Pythagoras believed that reality was numbers and geometric form for being real because they are in your mind, and Parmenides believed that "which is, and Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 7. Metaphysics: The Existence Of Good And Evil Metaphysics "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty," (Revelation 1:8). He is saying that he has always existed and will always exist for eternity. I believe that and I also believe that the physical and the spiritual realm exist. The spiritual realm is very real; good and evil actually exist. Angels and demons actually exist and are very real. In fact, they are at work even today. I believe angels protect people and demons oppress them. I believe that what is really real are things you can touch, smell, feel, taste, see, and hear. This also includes the spiritual world, I cannot always see the spiritual world, but I may feel it. Or I might get small glimpses of the...show more content... "Human nature is that which makes us distinctly human. Our nature is distinct from that of the animals and the rest of creation in that we can think and feel. One of the chief distinctions between human beings and the rest of creation is our ability to reason," (Gotquestions). The definition of human nature is the general psychological characteristics, feelings, and behavioral traits of humankind, regarded as shared by all humans. The nature of mankind is that we are naturally selfish and self–centered, we all are sinners. Are humans the center of the universe? We seem to think we are, we seem to live as if the entire world revolved around us. In the 16th century, it was a popular belief that the sun revolves around the earth. However, Galileo believed that the earth revolves around the sun and this caused quite a ruckus with the other citizens. They caused quite an uproar because the people thought that the earth was at the center of the universe, not the sun. Are humans motivated by a hierarchy of needs? I think people are motivated by what they want because humans are naturally selfish and self–centered. If someone wants food, they will get food. If someone wants money, they will most likely find a way to get money. Some people will do whatever it takes to get what they want, they will lie or steal to get what they Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 8. Metaphysics Is The Study Of Reality Essay Meta refers to the Meaning of after or beyond. Metaphysics is the study of reality. On the other hand, Kit Fine describes Metaphysics as follows; "it 's the study of the most general features of reality." Thus, it is the philosophical study of any widespread characteristics of reality. The study of the nature of the existence of a characteristic will let metaphysician answer and bring about theories for it being there. Some questions Metaphysician think of are as follows: Is there an Evil Demon? If there is a Demon can we control what we do? Are the things we do already determinant? Philosophers try to solve or bring about theories of the nature of any feature in the world. Although the answer is not accurate and trustworthy, their theories will bring about ideas of the nature of their existence. While some mistakenly thinks of metaphysical questions as being scientific questions, scientific questions are usually revolves around either being measurable or experimental, thus the questions that follow: What is the source of planets? That is experimental, what is the speed of an object in motion? That is measurable, or how can we determine the speed on of an object? That is experimental. Some might believe that metaphysical questions are not that useful, thus meaningless, but individuals believe that the question brought up leads to the development of scientific question that could and might have some usefulness for the people. Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that studies Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 9. Metaphysics as Addressed by Kant and Hume Essay Metaphysics as Addressed by Kant and Hume In the Prolegomena, Kant states that reading David Hume, "awakened him from his dogmatic slumber." It was Hume's An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding that made Kant aware of issues and prejudices in his life that he had previously been unaware of. This further prompted Kant to respond to Hume with his own analysis on the theory of metaphysics. Kant did not feel that Hume dealt with these matters adequately and resolved to pick up where Hume had left off, specifically addressing the question of whether metaphysics as a science is possible. Hume basically asserted in his writings that metaphysics, as a science, is not possible. He specifically drew on the theory of "causality",...show more content... Brought to light now are more of Kant's theories, influenced of course by Hume. Synthetic judgements– as opposed to analytical judgements– are judgements based on experience. A priori is another term that he uses as well. It is defined by Hume as uninfluenced by experience. Essentially he is asking a question that doesn't seem possible– can we make judgements based on experience, with out actually experiencing it. To answer this seemingly unanswerable question, Kant divides metaphysics into two forms– the general and the special. General metaphysics incorporates universal terms– everything that we can make general statements about with some validity. Special metaphysics, on the other hand, deals with separate and higher beings– there are deep roots in theology and religious beliefs in this aspect of metaphysics. This distinction allows him to view metaphysics in two different ways with two different outcomes. Kant's next step is crucial in dealing with the problem of metaphysics. He now takes what he calls the Copernican turn. Like Copernicus, Kant believes that we should not look to what we experience, but rather how we experience. Copernicus, in his theory on the apparent motion of the sun, turned away from the accepted belief that the earth revolves around the sun, a belief Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 10. Example Of Metaphysics Essay What is meant by Metaphysics? Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of reality, including the relationship between mind and matter, substance and attribute, fact and value. The central branch of metaphysics is known as ontology. This dives into the kinds of things that exist in the world and relations these things bear on one another. However, other areas that a metaphysician attempts to clarify may be how people understand the world, including existence, object hood, space and time to name a few. A more delicacy view is that a metaphysical statement is not meaningless. There is no valid set of practical observations or any valid set of logical arguments to prove that metaphysical statements are true or...show more content... You don't know what you will need to know and what you don't need to know. Sometimes we don't ever know what we do know. Experience is a form of knowing what's what. We know from past experiences. For example, if a piece of metal is glowing red you know that it is hot or if a piece of meat has an odor you know it is bad. These are all from experience. We know things are what they are by seeing, touching, and smelling, which equates to experience. Making mistakes and learning from them is a way to know. Lets say you put a pen in your pocket, it leaks you are less likely to make that same mistake therefore, you know putting a pen in your pocket might not be such a good idea. You might not know you made a mistake until you know what you did. It could look something like this, mistake + learning = knowing. Knowing cannot provide answers to thorny situations such as terrorism or abortions. They can help us understand what type of relevant knowledge we need and provide context for the knowledge and decisions that need to be made. These types of things are more assumed than known. These subjects are relevant to everyone, even if they are not realized consciously, but everyone should know a bit more about everything. Investigating the world of knowing is a natural process in a natural world. One cannot pretend to know what the outcome will be, but can prove it to be useful until something better has been developed. Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 11. Explain The Derivation Of The Word Metaphysics Explain the derivation of the word Metaphysics? According to the text "Philosophy the power of ideas," the word metaphysics derives from a set of Aristotle's writings known as 'Physics", stated in the text from the Greek word "physika, which means "the things of nature." Provide possible interpretations of the question, what is the nature of being? The question "what is the nature of being?" can be interpreted as what are the characteristics of your existence or even as simple as how are you living? We are all "beings" and for the most part we exist but in what nature or what sense? The nature of being can also be interpreted as human behavior as well because the condition of your being can be based on your nature or behavior. Compare and...show more content... Are they real in fact? No, appearances are not real to Plato. Appearances are how things seem to you and according to Plato they are not real. They are not real in fact because we get things wrong all the time, one example is how we miscommunicate because of how things may appear to us. Chapter 4 Questions What are the four Aristotelian causes of a baseball? The four Aristotelian causes of a baseball are the material of the ball comes into being. For example the material that the baseball is made of. The second is the formal cause that defines the object, the fact that its round. The third Aristotelian cause of a baseball is it's efficient cause and the final cause is that for the sake of why the object exist or its purpose. Aristotle believed that if individual horses did not exist, there would be no such thing as the Form horse. Is this correct? Yes it is correct in the sense of form. Thus individual horses doesn't exist because there are all still a horse. There is nothing to differentiate them from another form so there is no individuality. Are universals real? In what sense? Can there be essences without Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 12. Metaphysics Of Religion Essay Metaphysics, religion, spirituality. All of these just trying to find an answer to what's The Point, really? And the point is, that nobody really knows. Well, one can say that the people who have experienced clinical death might have a bit of an insight; yes, – but still, nobody knows for sure. And that's what is to be expected. Metaphorically speaking, a river can't understand how the ocean functions, it can only have a feeling about it. This is one reason why religious wars and conflicts should seem quite ridiculous. Religion, as long as it doesn't oppress, harm or discriminate against someone, really shouldn't be a cause of any fight – what does it matter if your neighbor believes in one god or thirty gods? Mahatma Gandhi said: "God has no religion." And that is profoundly true. Different religions seem to work for their believers. Catholic mass has power, Buddhist relics have power, and so does a spiritual healer. It is all the same. People have come to their spiritual knowledge (or religions, if you wish) in different ways, influencing this...show more content... I've happened to witness the power of different religions and temples, as well as encounters with spirits, so I believe the spirit world exists. Looking at the complexity of creation I wouldn't say that all life emerged by coincidence – there seems to be a definite presence of conscious energy. Most religious people call this energy God. Many also handpick some higher spirits and call them God. I myself rather abstain from the word, as I can't define this energy, I don't and can't really know enough about it. I definitely avoid assigning a gender to it – it would be as truthful as the bees naming their beekeeper the Queen Bee. So when many people use the word "God", I stick with The Great Spirit. Why? This energy seems to have an amazing consciousness and, while everybody is inherently a spirit, if there is any spirit that is great then this one would be Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 13. Metaphysics Metaphysics Introduction Philosophers love to argue points or defend points that seem either brutally obvious to lay people or so obscure as to wonder about the mental health of the philosopher. For some philosophers, nitpicking and countering previously accepted arguments about causes of actions is along the way totally confusing a college student desperately trying to grasp the mysterious ideas a way of life. For example, Wayne Davis references a way to disprove the "causal theory" (it holds that "actions done for a reason are explained by the agent's beliefs and desires") (Davis, 2005, p. 58). Mary, for example, turned on the light switch not because she had any particular belief that there was too much light but because she believed there was not enough light. The argument ensuing from that position (based on Donald Davidson's theory) is: even if "...beliefs and desires cause actions that are done for reasons, the contents of those beliefs and desires are irrelevant" to the fact that Mary produced the action at the light switch (Davis, 58). Hence, Davis has proved that since the reasons why Mary acted are irrelevant, from that perspective the causal theory can thus be undermined (58). Meanwhile, the question, "what is a cause" will be approached in the philosophical / metaphysical sense in this paper. What is a Cause? Why search for an analysis of causation in the first place? (Liebesman, 2011). David Lewis offers this reason: the myriad variables of causation Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 14. Metaphysics Essay example Metaphysics Whereas sciences deal with particular kinds of beings, metaphysics is concerned with beings as such. According to Aristotle, there is no such thing as mere being; to be is always to be a substance or object, a quantity, a quality, or a member of some other basic category. I.Substance and Accidents Substance is the primary mode of being according to Aristotle. The world is not one of atoms or particles, even though they have a place in the world. The basic notion of Aristotle's logic reflects a distinction in the way reality is structured and reflects the basic way that we view reality. Substance is whatever is a natural kind of thing and exists in its own right. Examples are rocks, trees, animals and the like....show more content... Aristotle's theory was firmly rooted in his broader metaphysics, according to which all things are a combination of matter—a sometimes shadowy, indefinite substance with the potential to become most anything—and form which transforms matter into actual particular things. Aristotle felt that part of the procedure of "becoming" required two things, the matter as a substratum and the form. The form functions, shapes and defines the thing. Both matter and the form, according to Aristotle, were transcendent and imperishable entities. Matter and form were never separated from one from the other. Matter cannot exist without form, and form cannot exist without matter. The most important and the most valuable is form. This applies equally to the creations of man and to the creations of nature. III.The Four Causes Aristotle's doctrine of the four causes is easily misunderstood. To charge Aristotle with having only a dim understanding of causality, however is to accuse him of missing a target he wasn't even aiming at. It is natural for us to think of Aristotle's "causes" in terms of our notion of cause–and–effect, however this is misleading in several ways. We must keep this in mind whenever we use the word "cause" in connection with his doctrine. Aristotle drew from the attempts of all his predecessors, and learned from their mistakes. There are different ways of answering the question of why things are as they are. These ways of Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 15. Metaphysics As The Tree Of Philosophy In the words of the French philosopher Descartes, "The whole of philosophy is like a tree: the roots are metaphysics, the trunk is physics, and the branches that issue from the trunk are all the other sciences . . ." But in what soil do the roots of the tree of philosophy have their hold? What are the nourishing elements for the roots and the tree? Or in other words, what is the basis of metaphysics, and what is metaphysics itself? Metaphysics thinks about beings as beings, and beings as such are in sight. Metaphysical representation owes this sight to the light of Being but this light does not come within the range of metaphysical domain. In other words, metaphysics inquire about the Being, which is the source of this light, but the light...show more content... But how it manifests itself, it remains obscure. Being in its revelatory essence, i.e., in its truth, is not recalled. Nevertheless, when metaphysics gives answers to its question concerning beings as such, metaphysics speaks out of the unnoticed revealedness of Being. The truth of Being may thus be called the ground in which metaphysics, as the root of the tree of philosophy, is kept and from which it is nourished. Metaphysics, as the root of the tree of philosophy, sends all nourishment to the trunk and branches. The tree of philosophy grows out of the soil in which metaphysics is rooted. The ground is where the root of the tree lives, but the growth of the tree is never able to absorb this soil in a manner that it makes it disappear in the tree as part of the tree. Instead, the root loses itself in the soil where it forgets itself for the sake of the tree. Metaphysics, since it represents beings as only beings, does not recall Being itself. Philosophy does not concentrate on its ground. Insofar as a philosopher sets out to experience the ground of metaphysics and attempts to recall the truth of Being itself instead of merely representing beings as beings, his thinking leaves metaphysics. From the point of view of metaphysics, such thinking goes back into the ground of Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 16. Immanuel Kant’s Metaphysics Essay Immanuel Kant's Metaphysics THEME In regard to Metaphysics, Kant's results were seemingly the opposite to what he strove to achieve, cf. the claim, in his Introduction, that "In this enquiry . . . I venture to assert that there is not a single metaphysical problem which has not been solved, or for the solution of which the key has not been supplied." In the summing up of his Prolegomena, he records with evident pride in achievement: "Anyone who has read through and grasped the principles of the CPR . . . will look forward with delight to metaphysics, which is now indeed in his power." Yet the image of an "Alleszermalmer" persists, who dismantled the foundations of a philosophical edifice which had barely withstood the...show more content... Let me therefore begin at the beginning with a well–articulated statement of principle: If one and the same faculty of reason is employed in empirical and metaphysical judgement, and the empirical employment of reason is legitimate, then so should be its metaphysical employment; and if metaphysics results in contradictions, then reason as a whole contradicts itself . . . Because the problem of metaphysics is ultimately a matter of reason's relation to itself, the route to its solution, Kant argues, must also be reflexive. That is, reason must examine itself. [Gardner 21–2]. This identifies the claim by Kant to have wrought a 'copernican revolution' in philosophy. The whole perspective is rotated by 180ЕЎ: not the world imposing its meaning, but meaning imposing on the world. II Knowledge and intuition Kant's first step, furnishing arguments in favour of the apriority of metaphysical cognition, is evidently mandatory. He shows initially that there is no inferring from veridical observations upon "the riddle of the universe", while conclusions about what is are not necessarily divulged by causal entanglements between empirical phenomena. Kant in fact claims that the character of metaphysical knowledge is intrinsically a priori and synthetic along with mathematics, geometry and natural science. [B14–18]. In all these disciplines, recourse must be had to concepts. Kant points out that thinking is possible
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  • 18. Metaphysics Essay Metaphysics Metaphysics is the philosophical study whose object is to determine the real nature of things to determine the meaning, structure and principles of whatever is insofar as it is. (Britannica.com). So if the sole purpose of metaphysics is to determine the true meaning of things but everything isn't absolute what is the purpose of metaphysics? The nature of the world can be a ever changing thing. Depending on the generation, part of the world or even when you were born into your family (ex. first, middle or baby child) your views can change. The view that I have is that the world is not only chaos but in total chaos. The definition of chaos from Websters Dictionary, is a state of things in which chance...show more content... The hate that can exists because of different beliefs and lifestyles extends to our country because some groups of people cannot understand or like the freedom that our country has. This and many other things contributes to the chaos around the world. As long as there is people and cultures around in different parts of the world there will always be differences and peace will be something that we as a society and as a world will strive for. A world without chaos how would that be? I don't think anyone would know or how could we handle it if it did happen. Our minds do seek order out of chaos with out a question. Like I said, I think that all the chaos in the world leads to disagreements then to war. In some way or another I think the solution that we as humans to seek out order in our minds we go to war. True not all the time do we go to war sometimes we have a peace summit or something of that sorts. But order in peoples minds seems like it only comes when they get there way or they are almost forced to take that point of view. Like we have learned, metaphysics isn't always final nor absolute when it comes to nature or science. If you want you can almost come up with an argument for anything about anything. My statements in this paper might be true or they might be totally off, but can anything in philosophy be wrong because it's just thoughts and your own opinion. So basically I think the world is in Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 19. Leibniz's Discourse On Metaphysics The Best of All Possible Worlds, or How to Be Optimistic Regardless of Circumstance In Leibniz's Discourse on Metaphysics the slightly disconcerting claim is made that this world is the best of all possible worlds. Leibniz's optimistic claim about the nature of reality arises out of his definition of God, and in the process of laying his arguments many pieces of Leibniz's metaphysics can be found. Leibniz reconciles both free will and the problem of evil with his claim about the condition of the universe along with creating the foundations for an ethics based on intent rather than outcome. Although Voltaire's Candide rather famously satirizes Leibniz's ideas its objection is weak, and a stronger objection lies in Leibniz's determinism and the possibility of random chance. To understand Leibniz's assertion about the moral nature of our world it is first necessary to understand his conception of God. Leibniz defines God as, "an absolutely perfect being" (Leibniz 1). As a perfect being God is, of course, omnipotent and omniscient, but he is also perfectly good and acts in, "the most perfect manner....show more content... In explicit terms Leibniz lays out that God follows morality as opposed to God determining morality. Thus it is conceivable that the best world that God could make would be one that includes the possibility of random chance. The moral implications of such a universe and the arguments for why random chance would be desirable are beyond the scope of this paper, however it is sufficient here to say that the idea of random chance poses a credible threat to Leibniz's metaphysical optimism, though the debate over the truth may rage through to the establishment of the Republic of Minds, if such a state should come to Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 20. Plato 's System Of Metaphysics Adrian Farrales Introduction to Philosophy Metaphysics 11/6/14 Plato's system of metaphysics revolves around the concept of Eidos, or forms. A form is the perfect and truest instance of a particular idea. In the world, we find particular instances of each form. For example, a certain pen is a particular instance of the form of pen. Every single pen in the world contributes to the form of pen. This contribution of particulars to the forms is called mathexis in Greek, or simply, participation. The participation of all particulars help to define and derive common characteristics of the form. Using the pen example, all pens function as a writing utensil, usually contain some form of ink, and generally are cylindrical. Every pen is somewhat imperfect and has flaws of some sort. Regarding ontology, these forms are the highest level of reality and the purest form of existence, while the particulars are imperfect and cheap imitations.Regarding our senses, Plato believed that the world we live in, that is the world of particulars, is an illusion because the most real world would be the world of the forms. Thus our senses are not accurate and our sense perceptions are merely copies of the forms. Plato exemplifies this in the allegory of the cave, portraying a false sense of reality. Plato believed that these forms are innate to human beings, as we were born with them. By doing philosophy, we undergo a process of recollection of these forms, ultimately Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 21. Metaphysics Essay Metaphysics Metaphysics can be defined as an attempt to comprehend the basic characteristics of reality. It is in fact so basic that it is all inclusive, whether something is observable or not. It answers questions of what things must be like in order to exist and how to differentiate from things that seem real but are not. A common thought is that reality is defined as what we can detect from our five senses. This type of philosophy is called empiricism, which is the idea that all knowledge comes from our senses. An empiricist must therefore believe that what we can see, touch, taste, smell, and hear must be real and that if we can not in fact see, touch, taste, smell, or hear something, it is definitely not real. However, this is a...show more content... Other people do not believe in it. Another important aspect of metaphysics is that reality is separate from our minds. We can not affect or change things just by thinking about them. However, some metaphysicians believe that our feelings are more real than what we can sense because our feelings are first–hand and come from our body. They must in fact be real because we are more aware of them. Metaphysics basically describes what people do everyday in their lives. People have a constant need to differentiate between what's real and what's not. In our everyday life, we are faced with appearances and materialistic things. Metaphysics can even relate to beauty. What's beautiful to one person may be repulsive to another and vice versa. Beauty is something that we can see, but it's not a physical object that can be sensed. Does this mean that it is not real? Empirically, yes. As people get older, they can better distinguish between real and not real. As stated in the textbook, a person must balance reality and their dreams, goals, etc, because both things are important. Fantasy, such as our dreams and goals, are part of being human and for some people, it is a purpose of life. If we only lived in "reality," there would be nothing to strive for because everyone would live based on what we know from our five senses. As long as people can keep a balance between the two, they can live a "normal" life in which they know what's real, but they can Get more content on HelpWriting.net