Metaphysics

Branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality

Topics index: A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W Z

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that examines the basic structure of reality. It is traditionally seen as the study of mind-independent features of the world, but some theorists view it as an inquiry into the fundamental categories of human understanding. Some philosophers, including Aristotle, designate metaphysics as first philosophy to suggest that it is more fundamental than other forms of philosophical inquiry. Metaphysics investigates the nature of existence, the features all entities have in common and their division into categories of being.

Web Pages

Metaphysics: The study of the nature of reality, Full Context
Part of "Ayn Rand and Objectivism: An Introduction"; summarizes the key concepts of objectivist metaphysics

In metaphysics, Rand affirmed the primacy of existence—that existence is. We can ask of any particular thing why it exists, but we cannot coherently ask of existence why it exists. Existence (reality) requires no explanation, since it is prior to and independent of consciousness. Since existence requires no explanation, questions as to when it began, and by whom it was created, don't make sense. Since no explanation of existence is necessary, no questions can arise about it. Existence is simple, irreducible, and foundational.

Book chapters

Wants, Efforts, Satisfactions, by Frédéric Bastiat, Economic Harmonies, 1 Sep 1848
Original title: Besoins, efforts, satisfactions
Examines the concepts of sensation, pain, wants and satisfactions, connecting them by human effort to postulate that the exchange of services are what constitute the science of economics; originally published in the Journal des économistes

From the general idea of sensation come the more definite ideas of pain, wants, desires, tastes, appetites, on the one hand; and, on the other, of pleasure, enjoyment, fulfillment, and well-being. Between these extremes is interposed a mean ... An analysis of sensation and activity shows one word common to both domains, the word pain. It is painful to experience certain sensations, and we can stop them only by an effort that we call taking pains. Thus, we are apprised that here below we have little else than the choice of two evils.

Related Topics: Children, Economics, France, Labor

The introductory paragraph uses material from the Wikipedia article "Metaphysics" as of 5 Aug 2025, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.