metaphysics

noun

meta·​phys·​ics ˌme-tə-ˈfi-ziks 

plural in form but singular in construction

1

a(1)

: a division of philosophy that is concerned with the fundamental nature of reality and being and that includes ontology, cosmology, and often epistemology

metaphysics … analyzes the generic traits manifested by existences of any kind

—J. H. Randall

(2)

: ontology sense 2

b

: abstract philosophical studies : a study of what is outside objective experience

steered philosophy away from metaphysics and toward the disciplines of natural science and linguistics

—Time

2

: metaphysic sense 2

Did you know?

Just as physics deals with the laws that govern the physical world (such as those of gravity or the properties of waves), metaphysics describes what is beyond physics—the nature and origin of reality itself, the immortal soul, and the existence of a supreme being. Opinions about these metaphysical topics vary widely, since what's being discussed can't be observed or measured or even truly known to exist. So most metaphysical questions are still as far from a final answer as they were when Plato and Aristotle were asking them.

Examples of metaphysics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike the letters inked on a typewriter’s paper substrate, the text displayed on word processors obeys a different metaphysics, thus conferring a much higher degree of freedom. —Sheon Han, WIRED, 9 May 2023

Psychedelic Experience - Revealing The Mind By Aidan Lyon Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes, a philosopher of mind and metaphysics at the University of Exeter, in the U.K., agrees with Osmond that a trip should be defined by phenomenology, not pharmacology. —Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2024

That felt somehow thematically appropriate in terms of what the deep metaphysics of the magic in this world are. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2024

Maybe dentists will begin to read up on metaphysics and begin engaging with their woozy patients rather than dismissing their experiences. —Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin Metaphysica, title of Aristotle's treatise on the subject, from Greek (ta) meta (ta) physika, literally, the (works) after the physical (works); from its position in his collected works

First Known Use

1569, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

metaphysics

noun

meta·​phys·​ics ˌmet-ə-ˈfiz-iks 

: the part of philosophy concerned with the ultimate causes and basic nature of things

Etymology

from Latin Metaphysica, title given to a work by Aristotle on the subject, from Greek (ta) meta (ta) physika, literally, "the (works) after the physical (works)"; so called because this section came after the section on physics and physical nature in a collection of Aristotle's collected writings