what exactly does metaphysical mean?

Question

I've read it in so many places, but I can't quite put my finger on just what it means. The context never seems to help, because every context makes no sense without knowing what metaphysical means! The cloest I can come is that...it is the line where science and philosophical thought cross. Thats the best I can come up with...any ideas?

Answer 1

Meta means beyond. So Metaphysical means beyond the physical or beyond physics.

Both Science and Metaphysics could be described as philosophy, so Metaphysics isn't the line where science & philosophy cross, it's just the line where science stops.

In general this means things/subjects like God, Ghosts, Karma, Astrology, casting magical spells etc…, anything non-physical & non-testable by physical means.

The reason you can't quite put your finger on what Metaphysics means, is because it means "something you can't put your finger on"

Most Empiricists or Existentialists reject this notion entirely. There is no Metaphysical, only the physical that we do not yet understand. This sense is reiterated in AC Clark's famous quote: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic", which is to say "Magic is not Metaphysics, it is just technology not yet understood."

The concept of Metaphysics has also suffered from scientific forays into things like radio. Unseen waves that let you talk to a robot on another planet are regarded as purely physical phenomena. There is an increasing belief that to be real, a thing must be measurable. Modern ghost hunters wouldn't dream of investigating a haunting without an array of electronic surveillance equipment. Modern theologians quote statistics when discussing the healing power of prayer.

So should we toss the word? I'd say no.

If the subject under discussion is one for which no proof will ever be offered or requested….

………it's nice to have a warning.

Answer 2

The inner world of atom is still the greatest mystery in science alongside that mystery of the structure and function of the universe. The fact of the matter is that it is inside of an atom where the secrets of the universe are to be found if anywhere within all the possibilities of the world. It was a faithfully held belief by the scientists up to the age of Albert Einstein that a mathematical equation could be drawn to explain the mysteries of the universe and therefore those of human life. That is until the time of the quantum mechanics that changed everything about human perception of the mysterious inner world of atom and also about the nature of the universe. We know now that there is uncertainty at the heart of each atom where laws of Newtonian physics do not apply, where there is nothing that we can exemplify in our normal world. Scientists ever since have tried to peer into the secretive heart of atom but the attempts so far have not born much fruit. The atomic world as well as the universe is still as much a mystery as ever. It is only very modern that attention has been drawn again to the tradition methods of science, to the understanding of the universe that is within grasp of science. The nature of the question thus has changed once again to consider as what is gravity? What reason is this world that way it is? Why the laws of physics are the way they are? And why they are in place at the first place? This is the region where science mingles with philosophy to understand the nature of our inquiry first of all before we attempt to understand the universe, or life. This is therefore clear by the very reason of science that there is more to the world that science can ever grasp. The laws of physics as we know them have limited scope of application. And there are things beyond that we do not know. Then the question is - is the fact that there are things beyond predictable world of science also the reason that we have free will? There might be a will stronger still than anything that we are able to see with science beyond science, the Will of God, or there could be just randomness of existence afar? The fact that we are able to ask questions systematically or randomly is perhaps the best proof of a free human will in existence so far.

Answer 3

Dr. Hannes de Beer is the author of a very popular Metaphysics Course in South Africa. He defines metaphysics as follows - "Metaphysics explores and exposes subtle truths, laws, tools and techniques that can improve all levels of your life; from the physical to the spiritual. Living your life in a metaphysical way therefore means to use esoteric secrets for self empowerment, to the benefit of not only yourself, but also to the benefit of those whose lives you touch. Metaphysics is the essential art and science of full potential living. It is important to understand that metaphysics is not a religion, and does not interfere with your religious system. Metaphysics does, however, draw knowledge from the Scriptures and other religious texts, in an attempt to help us get the "bigger picture" and, therefore, make better sense of ourselves and the world we live in."

Answer 4

It literally means "after physical." It comes from Artistotle's "Metaphysics," which he wrote after his "Physics." It came into vogue in English with a group of 17th century poets known as metaphysical poets, among whom John Donne is probably best known.

Answer 5

metaphysical means something that is beyond the physical universe. Such as heaven, hell, etc. It also means where the physical and the spiritual dimensions meet- they meet in the human mind (or/also they meet in the minds of animals or minds of all living beings). I read a book on metaphysics.

meta- "beyond"

Answer 6

Think of it simply- it means beyond the mere physical.
Using big words to define big words never works out.

Answer 7

literally means -after physics, usually refering to consciousness which some consider to not be physical but rather some kind of soul thing.

Answer 8

supernatural, spiritual, paranormal, ect...