Explain The Derivation Of The Word Metaphysics

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 on Helpwriting.net ...
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 on HelpWriting.net ...

Essay on Freedom and Determinism in Richard TaylorвЂ™s...
Freedom and Determinism in Richard Taylor's Metaphysics
Metaphysics, as discussed by Richard Taylor, can be defined as the effort to think clearly. In order to contemplate a metaphysical issue, we require
data (the common beliefs that people hold about that issue). A metaphysical problem occurs when such data do not agree. To resolve the problem, a
theory must be established which removes the conflict by either (a) reconciling the conflicting data, or (b) proving one set of data to be false.
Metaphysical thought has inspired many theories that attempt to address the conflicting data of determinism and freedom. Freedom, as defined by
Hume, is "the ability to act according to the determinations of the will". Freedom allows for moral ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Negative freedom can be defined as the freedom from constraint within a causally determined framework, whilst positive freedom can be the freedom
to initiate creative actions. These two types of freedoms can exist either concurrently (as they do in the rights and responsibilities of society) or
separately (as they do in the life of a slave).
As soft determinism only allows for negative freedom, it presents a sort of "underprivileged" type of freedom. According to this theory, the inner state of
an agent determines at what choices the agent arrives. (Here it is possible to question what causes the inner state of the agent). The deterministic nature
of soft determinism requires the answer to be that the inner state is determined. The result of the inner state, therefore, could not have been any
different than what occurred. Had the cause of the inner state been different, the result would have been different accordingly. This can lead, however,
to an indefinite regression of the causes of inner states, each being causally determined. A further threat of the theory is that the inner state of a person
could be externally imposed, negating the freedom of soft determinism.
Hard determinism uniquely resolves this conflicting data of freedom and determinism, by denying the very existence of freedom. Under the theory of
hard determinism, everything is caused by a previous cause, therefore making everything not only determinate, but also causally

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

Aristotle 's Views On Metaphysics And Epistemology
Nolynn Kaufman
Professor Jacobs
Paper 1– What is Real and How to Know It
10–1–2014
What is Real and How to Know It
Throughout time, people have always had varying views and ideas of everything. Through philosophy, these views and ideas can be put into solid
words, theories, and assertions. Two very influential and famous philosophers are Plato andAristotle. Although Aristotle was a student of Plato, they
have differing views of metaphysics and epistemology. Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that attempts to give a complete and systematic account
of all reality and existence. Epistemology is a branch of philosophy that studies the nature and grounds of knowledge; epistemology asks what
something is and how it came to be. One's metaphysical position influences and affects their epistemological view by forming opinions on what is real
or not and coming to knowledge through experience and/or by their metaphysical beliefs of reality.
Metaphysics is essentially one's view on reality and what is real. According to Plato, there are two worlds; one that consists of the forms (non–material
and abstract ideas that possess the highest and most fundamental reality), and one that we live in that consists of physical things that seem real and
are able to be detected by the 5 senses. Plato thinks that the only world to be concerned with is the one of forms, for that is the only real one.
According to Aristotle, there is only the sensible and physical world that we live

Morality, Metaphysics, And Religion
THE PARTICULAR AND THE UNIVERSAL
IN MORALITY, METAPHYSICS, AND RELIGION
In his second speech to the literary salon of Henrietta Herz, Friedrich Schleiermacher dismantles the perception of religion as a blending together of
morality and metaphysics. He argues that such a hybrid can never truly function as religion and that to attack such a false construct is to fight against a
shadow, rather than to engage the true subject (21). Morality,metaphysics, and religion all address the same subject matter–the relationship of humanity
to the universe–but religion must be differentiated from the others. For Schleiermacher, religion distinguishes itself by identifying each individual as a
finite and particular portion of the infinite. He ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Morality recognizes freedom within humanity (the ability to make free decisions over against a sense of determinism) and seeks to "extend freedom's
realm to infinity and make everything subservient to it" (23). Morality's primary domain is action and its principle concern is determining those deeds
that must be performed and proscribed. Metaphysics, similarly, is a system that seeks to understand and determine the universe from a human
perspective. It proceeds from human experience and observation toward defining the essence of the universe and how the cosmos can, and must,
function. This system classifies and divides nature, determines the reason for the existence of each element, and–most startling–accomplishes all of this
by "spinning the reality of the world and its laws out of itself" (20). Like morality, metaphysics begins with human experience and moves outward,
seeking to delimit the whole based upon its own partial perspective of existing within that same whole.
In Speeches, Schleiermacher counters the common perception of his audience that religion is simply an amalgam of morality and metaphysics. He
argues, rather, that true religion is much more than an "unseemly form" produced by comingling a knowledge of how the universe functions with a list
of rules as to how humanity must relate to it (19). What is often cited as religion is

Immanuel Kant's Metaphysics
Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), was born in a Lutheran family in Konigsberg, Germany. He went to the University of Konigsberg, where he studied
under Martin Knutzen and read the works of Leibniz and Leibniz scholar Christian Wolff. The Prolegomena to any future metaphysics thesis is, Kant
addresses the question of "whether such a thing as metaphysics be at all possible" (818). He is addressing this topic to correct Hume's skepticism. He
also asks, "If it be a science, how come it that it cannot, like other sciences, obtain universal and permanent recognition" (818)? To begin the answer to
these questions, Kant addresses David Hume's attempt at metaphysics, and explains where Hume did not present a conclusion to the questions he had
brought up. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This question would be useless, and there would only remain that other question, 'How is the science possible, and how does reason come to attain it'

The Relationship Between Aristotle's Conception of...
The relationship between Aristotle's conception of metaphysics, epistemology, and man's desire to know is extremely intricate. These notions have an
inherent interrelation with one another, which is tied to his concept of being as being. Aristotle's idea of the first science (Aristotle 79), which was
eventually called metaphysics, revolves about the concept that prior to other forms of science that pertain to empirical evidence and certain facets that
can be examined in terms of their physical qualities, such as astronomy or certain forms of mathematics, there is a fundamental form of science that can
explain the root cause of these other events and proclivities.
The most important thing to understand regarding the philosopher's tenet of being as being is that it is essentially at the core of his notion of
metaphysics, and plays a significant role in development of epistemology. What Aristotle is actually referring to in the quotation "men by nature have a
desire to know" is man's basic nature which is of material substance. Men therefore, have a number of different senses (most of which are physical,
some of which are not) that they use to perceive other aspects of life and its different facets. Therefore, these senses are what men use to observe,
interact with, and ultimately understand the world around them. As a material being man has been endowed with such senses; therefore, he inherently
has this propensity for using those senses for perceiving and understanding the

Immanuel KantвЂ™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 on Helpwriting.net ...
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

Plato's Metaphysics: The Conflict between Universals and...
The conflict between universals and particulars boils down to whether or not a universal can exist without being manifest as a particular. For Plato,
universals are paramount to particulars. The world of the forms is distinct from the illusory mundane world upon which our senses depend. Universals
are in fact more real than the particular forms they might inhabit. Plato's metaphysics allows much more firmly for a worldview like that shared by
Eastern religions like Hinduism, in which the transitory world of our senses is overshadowed by an unseen dimension that transcends space, time, and
even human consciousness. Moreover, Plato's metaphysics make it easier to understand intangibles like emotions.
However, the Platonic worldview is limited too. Particulars are often the only way philosophers can relate to universals. Aristotle's metaphysics allow
for the existence of universals without negating the importance of the particulars. Particular, individual manifestations are usually the only way a
human being can recognize that a universal form exists. How would it be possible to know that love exists without being able to quantify the
sensations of love or the existence of actions like affection or altruism? The best way to resolve the conflict between universals and particulars would
be to synthesize them.
It is important to allow for the coexistence of universals and particulars. Science depends on an appreciation for particulars, but it also strives for broad

Aristotle's Metaphysics Lambda
Metaphysics Lambda starts by looking into the idea of substances, which according to the book are of three types. First is Changeable and perishable,
the example of these is of plants and animals. Second type is of substances which are changeable and eternal. The third type is of a substance which is
immutable. If all substances are perishable, then ultimate destruction of everything is inevitable. But, Aristotle claimed that there are two imperishable
entities: Time and Motion. If time were created, then there must have been no time before the creation, which is called eternity, but the very concept of
before implies the concept of time. On the other hand, as Aristotle argued in his works about motion that the only continuous motion

Metaphysics In The Hunger Games
METAPHYSICS! No, that is not a character from Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It is the study of being and nature; the study of how things are. In unit
three of Theology IV, we took a deeper look into what studying metaphysics looks like, and, let me tell you, our conversations made my head spin. We
talked about how there are three levels of reality, how natural law and original sin affect our human nature, and to me, the part that intrigued me the
most, existence and true reality. Whenever our class conversations went on tangents about existence, my mind would struggle to keep up. The thoughts
these conversations brought up were so abstract that by the time I had realized they were there, they were already starting to fade. These thoughts
would raise ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
That means a thing must "be" in the physical, mathematical, or metaphysical level of reality. By this definition, if I am not mistaken, I exist
because I am on the physical level of reality. This cancels out my suspicion of being a simulation, however, I could still be a "test subject," a lab rat
of some mad scientist alien who enjoys playing games with cause and effect. When I think about this, I conceptualize it as if I'm in the Hunger
Games. In the Hunger Games novels and movies, the Gamemakers would manipulate the arena in order to provide entertainment for their viewers.
What if another being is manipulating each person's life in a trial and error process? Is the Earth a television show for another being to use for
entertainment? I sometimes think that this is a possibility. How do we know that the weather is simply a force of nature? Couldn't there be a
possibility that it is simply a factor another being put into play to see how humans reacted? While studying metaphysics, we learned that there is only
one primary cause and many secondary causes in the universe. Since something, in the beginning, caused everything else (or continues to cause
everything else) isn't it responsible for the many factors of the world and couldn't it experiment with those factors as it pleases? I still battle with this

Maimonides View On Metaphysics
The Brain, the Mind, and Metaphysics
(Maimonides vs. Freud's views on Metaphysics
Metaphysics can be defined as the study of non–material things. For example; the mind, time and space would all fall under this category. Our brain
and mind is constantly working to learn, imagine, dream, and remember. Which can all be explained by metaphysics. Although, like most things there
is different views on how metaphysics works and why people act and learn the way that they do. With these different views, there comes the question
of what is imaginary and what is real. "Extremely influential view about reality seen in the most general light is that it consists of things and their
properties." (Heidegger) In the Jacobus text, two well–known philosophers wrote about their views on metaphysics. Moses Maimonides wrote On the
Limits of Man's Intellect, and Sigmund Freud wrote The Interpretation of Dreams. In both these popular texts, metaphysics is, from the views of both
authors, is relatable.
To begin, On ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The similarities between the two make it easy to believe the theories they both explain. They both, in their writings, go into detail about how "...the mind
is a complex entity that controls all parts of the human body" (Page 301). To moving you toes, to chewing your food, and lastly to think, learn, and
breathe; you need your brain. Both authors also study how the mind and brain work. Each conducted experiments to learn about different aspects of
the mind and brain as a whole. "Each author explores the mind from the inner core to the outer layer. They research the brain, to the mind to the way
that humans speak, move and learn." (Harvey) Both, Maimonides and Freud have different views but they both make it clear in their writings along
with some disagreements, they also have very similar opinions when it comes to

Discourse On Metaphysics Summary
Discourse on Metaphysics by Leibniz
In the Discourse on Metaphysics by Leibniz he suggest that, "we maintain that everything that is to happen to some person is already contained
virtually in his nature or notion, as properties of a circle are contained in its definition." This assertion raised a difficulty for Leibniz. This difficulty
was that "human freedom will no longer hold, and that an absolute fatality would rule over all our actions as well as over all the rest of what happens
in the world." With such a reality there would be no use for free will and whatever fate succumbs an individual is the will of the Most High; in other
words, being destined. But for Leibniz, this is not the determined reality of humanity. Leibniz ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
And it is the individual who will choose the best possible outcome of all possible outcomes for her life. For God wills it so. This being so, what
makes up the nature of a person who chooses to perceive and know God, versus, the person who chooses to live his life consciously perceiving a
reality without God? This person who chooses not to know God, denies the existence of such a Being. If God decrees the most perfect outcome for
man, why would such a notion or nature be created and manifested within that individual? Because then, the person only has the most perfect possible
outcomes of endless possible outcomes within the confines of his innate nature; which is not to know the Divine Creator. This being the case, he
condemns himself according to the scriptures. In attempting to reveal insight upon the first part of this two–fold question, one must first discern the
meaning of human nature. According to the authoritative opinion of The Random House College Dictionary human nature is defined as; "the
psychological and social qualities that characterize mankind." In assessing the psychological and social qualities of mankind, it was easy to find oneself
consumed within the vastness of characteristical qualities for which humanity has been endowed. These qualities range from ignorance to knowledge;
grief to joy; from incontinence to self–restraint; lust to perseverance; injustice to

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 on
Helpwriting.net ...
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

Aristotle 's Views On Metaphysics And Cosmology
Parmenides, although generally ascribed the position of a monist, offers arguments through his poem that are not so clearly of monist persuasion and at
times, creates a whole host of possible meanings. His views on metaphysics and cosmology seem to differ from his predecessor Heraclitus' doctrine of
flux, believing instead that all is continuously one and unchanging, maintaining that beings are what exist and non–beings cannot exist through the
acknowledgement that what is existent cannot be created into existence or have existence taken away. His argument for all things being continuously
one is, upon analysis, affected in strength by more contemporary arguments of interpretation and apparent change in meaning.
Parmenides introduced ground breaking and profoundly different philosophy to that of the Milesians, who differed in thoughts of matters and change.
He provided alternative thoughts on matters of metaphysics, upholding the view that our experience is irrespective of apparent fundamental nature. He
exhausted the position that we rely on our senses to comprehend all that happens around us, which he rejected as an approach because of its fallible
nature, often distracting us from reason. Through what he believed was unadulterated reason, he concluded that prior philosophy concerning
cosmological thought was unintelligible and irrelevant, decidedly changing principal problems as thoroughly reasoned instead of sensibly evaluated.
Of these principal problems, he

Argumentative Essay On Kantian Metaphysics
The truth behind metaphysics is a consistent stream of changing ideas which involves thoughts on what existence really is. Kant, unlike many
metaphysicians tries to not include an outside aspect that is intrinsically linked to existence, leading to patterns of this form of thinking that continues
even to contemporary philosophers. As a transcendental idealist, he molds two schools of thought into one, expanding the capability of what
metaphysics is able to ponder, while also eliminating nonscientific approaches to these questions, because those explanations are always lacking
empirical substance. On the surface of Kantian metaphysics, it seems as though all hope is lost in respect to the evaluation of the impact metaphysics
has on objective thought. However, this is not the case, by using synthetic a priori knowledge one will be able to jettison oneself from the spectacles ...
Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
For example, Kant explains "Geometry is based upon the pure intuition of space...if we omit from the empirical intuitions of bodies and their
alterations (motion) everything is empirical, i.e., belonging to sensation, space and time remain." (Kant Prolegomena, pg. 25). This leads to the
fact that space and time for humanity is an a priori part of existence, something everyone is capable of preserving and is surrounding humanity,
making it the only way one is able to experiencing reality. Consequently, this comes to an apex in stating pure mathematics is of course possible
because of how no matter if a circle is drawn incorrectly within space and time because of the proofs of a circle one versed in geometry will always
be able to find its radius. The concept relates back to if the universe can be solved, if mathematics is a form of an absolute derived from synthetic a
priori knowledge, then it must be possible to continue this within other fields, including

Fundamental Principles Of The Metaphysics Of Morals By Kant
In, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals, Kant states his belief that philosophy is divided into three parts. The three parts of
philosophy include, physics, ethics, and logic. Kant states that all rational knowledge is either material or formal. Formal/natural philosophy is known
as logic, while material/moral philosophy has to do with reasons. Moral principles, are centered on theories of reason, rather than character and value.
If your actions are taken for morals alone, rather than any other reason, they are considered morals. Also, an action is judged on the reason it was taken,
rather than the result of that action. Furthermore, if you respect and act in accordance with moral law, then your actions are moral.

The Kantian Revolution: From Metaphysics to Epistemology
The Kantian Revolution: From Metaphysics to Epistemology
Immanuel Kant is often credited as responsible for the philosophical equivalent of the Copernican Revolution in astronomy. His Copernican Turn
introduced the human mind as actively involved in the origination of experience rather than just being a passive recipient of perception. He explains it
most thoroughly in the following quote:
Up to now it has been assumed that all our cognition must conform to the objects; but all attempts to find out something about them a priori through
concepts that would extend our cognition have, on this presupposition, come to nothing. Hence let us once try whether we do not get farther with the
problems of metaphysics by assuming that the objects must conform to our cognition, which would agree better with the requested possibility of
an a priori cognition of them...This would be just like the first thoughts of Copernicus, who, when he did not make good progress in the
explanation of the celestial motions if he assumed that the entire celestial host revolves around the observer, tried to see if he might not have
greater success if he made the observer revolve and left the stars at rest. Now in metaphysics we can try in a similar way...since experience itself is a
kind of cognition requiring the understanding, whose rule I have to presuppose in myself before any object is given to me, hence a priori, which rule
is expressed in concepts a priori, to which all objects of experience must

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

Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals by Emmanuel Kant
In his book, Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, Kant explores the issues of human morality, and attempts to "seek out and establish the supreme
principle of morality" (Kant 60). Despite acknowledging that human beings will still most likely act morally, whether or not they have a clear
understanding of moral principles, Kant explains that a clearer understanding of moral principles can allow individuals to fulfill their moral obligations,
and keep their motivations pure.
Kant starts off, in the preface, by stating that "Ancient Greek philosophy was divided into three sciences: physics, ethics, and logic" (Kant 55). Physics
being the study of natural philosophy, and the world of material objects; ethics, the study of moral philosophy, and on what basis human beings ought
to act; and logic, the study of empirical knowledge, independent of material objects. These three fields then fall into categories of empirical or
non–empirical philosophy. In the Groundwork, Kant decides to focus on pure, non–empirical ethics, which he refers to as "a metaphysic of morals"
(Kant 56). In attempting to develop an a priori concept of morality based on reason, as opposed to empirical observations, Kant comes to the
conclusion that "a free will and a will under moral laws are one and the same" (Kant 114). This statement ties together Kant's aim in the Groundwork,
in that the supreme principle of morality is developed through the notion of freedom, as it, then, provides a basis for morality.

Meaning Of Life In Metaphysic, Ethics And Social Justice
Over the years, philosophers have been preoccupied with finding an answer to the meaning of life. I shall focus on three major philosophical views in
my essay – Metaphysic, Ethics and Social justice. I will also discuss my personal opinions on the meaning of life. I believe the meaning of life is to
give life an importance. All through recently in my life, I have pondered what the meaning is. Why am I and everyone else even on this planet? вЂЁ
That leads me to my next question. Is there a God or Supreme Being? In the event that there is, what is the reason he/she put us here? Any God
/Supreme Being worshiper asked will say our sole object is to serve their God. We have to ask, what does that mean? Also, second, we must know why.
Why might a... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
You can be in a situation and be get out of it with out having prior experience and not gain any knowledge of the world. These may be truths of logic,
math, or ethical truths. We can know the difference between good and bad, without needing to get that that knowledge from experience. Third, the
rationalist may contend that there are a few truths, however grounded partially in experience cannot be derived from experience alone. Two individuals
may watch the same thing, yet achieve conflicting perspectives as to its magnificence or offensiveness. This demonstrates that stylish qualities are not
displayed to us by our faculties, but instead are overlaid onto experience by reason. Additionally, we don't watch causation, we just see one occasion
took after by another; it is the brain, not the world that furnishes us with the thought that the previous occasion causes the last.вЂЁвЂЁNo wars, no
despise, no discrimination and no suffering? What is our Modus Venendi? I generally envision a world without the issues of shortage of essential
needs, and individuals are enjoying freedom of their lives and just be happy. Yet is it

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

How Does Baruch Spinoza Use Metaphysics?
As being the branch of philosophy concerned with being, the nature of existence, and the world and universe around us, Metaphysika, or Metaphysics,
meaning "after physics", has been argued as being the foundation of Philosophy, having even been deemed by Aristotle as the "first philosophy".
Throughout history, many great minds have developed works in order to better understand the universe through the metaphysical lens. Philosophers
such as Baruch Spinoza who wrote the Ethics, and Gottfried Leibniz who wrote the Monadology, focus these works within the field of Metaphysics,
building upon past theories such as Plato. Not only do they both utilize Metaphysics in order to gain a better understanding of the natural principals of
the universe, but ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Here it can be understood that the terms "monad" and "substance" are used interchangeably. Monads are simple, pure and unconscious perceivers;
having no internal structure, in which deprives any possibility of being effected by anything. Due to the lack of internal structure, monads are
"windowless" substances that too lack space for causal interaction. "The monads have no window of which something can enter or leave" (Sec.7). This
suggests that a monad is like an entity with zero dimensions. Monads being infinite substances, they simultaneously hold the past present and future
within (Sec.1–6). Due to the "internal principals" of a monad and the infinite nature it carries, it is a substance that is thus subjected to eternal change.
Monads do not interact with one another but do compliment each other by the perceptions they hold (no causal interaction) (Sec.7, 21). They are
essentially like mirrors that are self–contained yet connect to all things. Each monad contains an authentic, complete notion of itself (DoM 8–9), just as
a substance cannot be identical to another.
Leibniz argues that the source of all substances is God, and that God ensues whatever interactions they may have. God being sole substance, it enfolds
the ability to will interactions on all other substances. From this, it can be noted that Leibniz is purposing that each self–contained monad multiplies
infinitely, unlike Spinoza who argues that all things are composed of and directed by a single substance. Though they contrast in ways, both arguments
are rational in

Metaphysics : The Unmoved Mover Is God
Phu Lai
The Ancient Philosophy
Essay: Unmoved mover.
As we know, Aristotle was a student of Plato and he is one of the great philosophers in ancient philosophy. Not only he was so wise but also he did a
lots of work on logic, philosophy of nature, philosophical psychology, ethics, politics, metaphysic, aesthetics and rhetoric, etc. In all these areas, I want
focus on small detail in Metaphysics: the unmoved mover. The first present, what is motion? Secondly the unmoved move is cause of everything.
Finally, these following my opinion on the Unmoved mover and relate to Thomas Aquinas's unmoved mover is God.
Things change! For all of us nowadays, we can easyly sense the change. For example: the car, which is the vehicle, we use it every day. How to build
the car? It's about 8 hours in the factory. There is what you might need body panels, tires, brakes, seat, engine, wiring, cockpit, etc. Then, the worker
put parts together following many steps and become a car. All of that steps you can sense the change that the car is getting in form. "There is something
which is changed, which receives a new determination". However, looking back to the ancient time, Pennames believed motion is not true because you
couldn't see change happen by your own eyes. Then, the next generation is Aristotle who believed motion is possible. "Motion in general sense of the
term, which includes every passage from a terminus a quo to a terminus ad quem, such as the change of the colour of a leaf from

Ethics, Metaphysics, Religion, Epistemology, And Anthropology
Introduction
Philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. After taking this course, I have a stronger understanding of
what philosophy is and how my life is based around everyday theories and ideas. Before beginning this course, I had no prior knowledge on what
philosophy was or how important it is for an individual's success. Ethics, Metaphysics, Religion, Epistemology, and Anthropology are five main
philosophy topics that I related to quite easily. Many different philosophers and their theories were easy for me to understand along with relating to
them in hopes of becoming a better individual based on the lessons each topic provides.
Ethics Ethics can be defined as a set of moral principles that ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In class we discussed the existence of God along with life after death. Having a religious background allows me to understand metaphysics and
reality, considering my faith revolves around the existence of God and life after death. Being Lutheran, I do believe in God and the powerful gifts
/events that are intertwined with God. Life after death is a sore subject for many individuals regardless of their religious beliefs, but I believe that
people either are sent to heaven or hell. Yin and Yang Theory The Yin and Yang Theory provided more information than I had ever known about this
theory. I found Yin and Yang relatable because I have two adoptive Chinese sisters. While walking around through the streets of China, I hear a lot of
discussions regarding Yin and Yang (good or bad). I believe that there is a difference between good or bad and that the imbalance might not be evenly
divided like the Chinese population states.
Wu

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

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 on
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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

Difference in Metaphysics Between Aristotle and Kant
What is the central difference between metaphysics as Kant conceives it, and metaphysics as Aristotle conceives it? Argue in support of one or the
other view.
Metaphysics is usually taken to involve both questions of what is existence and what types of things exist; in order to answer either questions, one
will find itself using and investigating the concepts of being. Aristotle proposed the first of these investigations which he called 'first philosophy', also
known as 'the science of being' however overtime his writings came to be best known as 'Metaphysics' in which he studied being qua being with a
central theme of how substance may be defined as a category of being. Kant who is a nominalist criticized both Aristotelian and therefore ... Show more
Although book Epsilon is rather brief, it shows a return to the science of being qua being and also passes some remarks on truth. "If there any
immovable substances, then the science which deals with them must be prior, and it must be primary philosophy" (Loux, 2006, p14). This shows that
the immoveable substances are divinities. Book Zeta appears to restrict our subject matter in a rather different way: 'the question which, both now and
in the past, is continually posed and continually puzzled over is this: what is being? That is to say, what is substance?'
This question defines the nature of Aristotle's inquiries, at least for a large part of the Metaphysics, and it thus offers a fourth account of the study or
science of metaphysics."The science of first principles, the study of being qua being, theology, the investigation into substance – four compatible
descriptions of the same discipline? Perhaps there is no one discipline which can be identified as Aristotelian Metaphysics? And perhaps this thought
should not disturb us: we need only recall that the metaphysics was composed by Andronicus rather than by Aristotle. But the four descriptions do have
at least one thing in common: they are dark and obscure" (Ross, 1996, p174).
Books Zeta, Eta and Theta, together form the central part of the Metaphysics, with a focus on their general topic 'substance': its classification and
relation to matter and forms, to actuality and

Metaphysics Of Muhammad Iqbal
Iqbal's metaphysic thought and its connectivity to all philosophers overall tend to be very broad. However, it does not diminish the value of this study
entitled Metaphysical Thought of Muhammad Iqbal and His College in Reconstructing Character at Institution of Education, (Case Study at
Educational Foundation Prof. Dr. H. Kadirun Yahya)
In this study the author limits within the conceptual scope, the view of Muhammad Iqbal in metaphysics. Also, the factor, background, and view of
Muhammad Iqbal in metaphysic scholars on correlation reconstruct character at educational institution Foundation of Prof. Dr. H. Kadirun Yahya. The
authors are more focused on the correlation study of metaphysic implementation. The author makes the limit in the ... Show more content on
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Dr. H. Kadirun Yahya.
Metaphysics is an interesting phenomenon because metaphysics is always in direct contact with human nature in daily life. In Islam, metaphysics
cannot research philosophically. Because Islam is an assertion comes from God while science as a treasure of scholars. Islam is observed and
researched as a social phenomenon cannot be separated from the religious social–political aspect [10].
In this study [12] emphasize that there are another sources of experience which are above the experience of normal levels, namely Intuition. The
intended experience differs from perception and thought. Intuition is present in human as a reality and is not reached by perception or mind. The reality
of self is discovered through the method of Intuition to produce material reality. The essence of the material world is the self which meant to their life.
The nature of the material world is constantly changing, and it is not static. In the reality of life, there are not two occurrences of the same. The
essence of life is the existence of activities, actions, and movements.
A study conducted by Ach Khozin (2017) explained that Iqbal cries out loud for Muslims to rise from its legacy. Through his poetry and scientific
work, he wanted to awaken the Muslim's life force to move on. In his poems, he encourages Muslims to flow–move and does not remain silent. Thus,
the essence of life is motion, while the law of life create,

Metaphysics Of Dao
A metaphysical explaining about some concept regards, as defined by Soccio, the concern with its "ultimate reality" (Soccio, 4). The question of what
is real can also serve to define it, since it is so important to the concept and it can help us in our study of dao. Since the time of Lao–tzu, there is a
problem to define dao. In his words dao was ' "too much" to be "trapped" by definition, description, or system' (Soccio, 27). Dao, actually, is a very
abstract concept that happens in a spontaneous way in our world. Confucius' view on the dao, although being better defined, as when he says " [The
dao]... consists in 'doing one's best'" (Analects, 4.15), the term still being very broad and if we apply metaphysics for that, we would

Groundwork For The Metaphysics Of Morals Summary
One of the most important and influential works in modern moral philosophy of the 1780's is Immanuel Kant's "Groundwork for the Metaphysics of
Morals". The book provides intensive and impressive interpretations of the most fundamental principle of morality, distinct but a controversial example
of righteous human conduct, and offers the image of the opportunity of developing human behavior rules from the value and significance of human
freedom and autonomy. In the preface of Groundwork, Kant proposes that the pure rational part of ethics is the metaphysics of morals. The philosopher
then adds that the Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals must include practical anthropology, empirical information about human beings, for the
latter sets grounds ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Good Will is the only thing that can be good without limitations, the only thing that is entirely good in itself and under all circumstances. Unlike some
characteristics such as Moderation, Good Will is vulnerable of being put to an evil use and is thus always good. It is not good because of its
accomplishments, rather through the act of willing in itself that it comes to originate from. Furthermore, Kant explores the concept of duty in order to
reveal the commonsense of Good Will. When discussing duty, Kant makes three arguments. First, that having good will, lies not just in consensus with
but from duty. Second, that the moral worth of an action from duty is not in the purpose to be achieved, but in the maxim in agreement to what it is
decided upon. And third, that "Duty is the necessity of an action from respect for the law" (Groundwork, 401). Kant thus explains that a morally good
action is one that is motivated by respect for duty. Therefore, Kant's argument is that the fundamental principle of morality must always be consistent
with the notion of duty. Adding, a maxim can be embraced as a guide to duty only because it corresponds to the idea of a universally valid moral

The Metaphysic Of Abstract Particulars
Introduction: In this paper I will present the arguments for tropes and their distinction from universals and particulars as presented by Keith Campbell
in his paper "The Metaphysic of Abstract Particulars." I will then present a counter argument to Campbell's evaluation and provide possible responses
to those arguments. I will also provide possible adjustments Campbell could make to create a more sound argument.
Campbell's Argument:
Since Plato, two mutually exclusive yet essential categories of reality have been posited, one of concrete particulars and the other being abstract
universals. Particulars are "unproblematic," but universals may be entirely extant in many positions with no influence on the universal itself. Aparticular
"distinguishing mark is that is exhausted in the one embodiment, or occasion, or example." (Campbell 298) Particulars are unproblematic because they
are restricted to a single point at any given time, not like universals which exist in different locations and are wholly present in those instances. The
number of examples which contain the abstract universals are not diminished in quality of the universal. Campbell posits that this "problem" can be
alleviated if properties were not universal at all. There is a distinction between abstract and concrete which differs from the distinction between
universals and particulars. This is because particulars and universals can both be abstract where only particulars can be concrete. The particulars that

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 on Helpwriting.net ...
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

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 on Helpwriting.net ...
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

Essay about The Central Part of Berkeley's Metaphysics
The Central Part of Berkeley's Metaphysics
The central part of Berkeley's metaphysics seems paradoxical or even absurd. Its claim is that what we call solid, and indeed everything else that we
find laid out in the three–dimensional physical word that is apparently around us, is only fictional. It appears to be there, but it does not really have an
independent existence. The physical world is, according to Berkeley, dependent on and only perceived through a mental state. In Three Dialogues
Between Hylas and Philonous, Berkeley tried to explain how a seemingly noncommonsensical theory can actually consist of commonsensical
characteristics. There are two contentions made by Berkeley in his attempt to prove that commonsense is the basis ... Show more content on
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Hence, none or these qualities exist outside the mind because we all see things differently. It is impossible, therefore, that matter be something
existing in itself, objective, inert, and devoid of thought. According to Berkeley, when we say that a thing exists, we mean nothing more than that
such a thing is merely perceived by us. Berkeley stated, "To be is to be perceived." Berkeley's answer to the philosophical question, if there is no
one in the forest when a tree falls, is there a sound, would be no because the forest cannot exist without a perceiver. Primary or secondary qualities,
substances and impressions are nothing other than acts of perception, that is, mental facts; and their existence signifies their being perceived as mental
acts. If I walk into a room containing a table, the table exists. However, when I leave the room, the table no longer exists.
The Paradoxical problem arises when one asks, "how is it then that when I return to the room, the table is still there?" While denying the existence of
a material world, Berkeley did not deny the existence of the world of spirits/minds. He believed that from the very presence of ideas and impressions,
there had to existence finite spirits/minds, and because there had to be an origin of these ideas/impression, there had to exist a finite spirit/mind. Finite
spirits/minds refers to humans and the Infinite Spirit/Mind refers to God. Now

Metaphysics Of Confucianism
Metaphysics is the study of ultimate reality. Confucius' metaphysics would see people as thinking and would ask, what the metaphysical core of
people was. As he observed people he saw they were not able to become virtuous people due to egoism and altruism's unbalance. He thought that when
people balanced passion, ambition, loyalty, and moral duty it would create harmony. He believed this could be done through the gentlemanly tao way,
through education and training as a ritual. It would create a noble person, Junzi, start with the individual and then people influence society. Harmonized
people, harmonized world. Confucius created five virtues to follow. The foundation being Ren, being considerate, you also did not have to be
reminded either. The second being Li, propriety, self–control and good manners. Knowing and doing what is appropriate to the situation. The third Shu,
reciprocity, do not do to... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
He spent seven years in nature trying to understand it through nature and meditation and found it was ineffable. Lao– Tzu had five basic teachings
known as the Tao Te Ching (way) and believed if you wanted virtue you had to understand and see it everywhere, the Tao. The other being Wuwei,
effortlessness, letting things happen on their own. Another is having simplicity, which means getting rid complications. Another being gentleness, no
need of weapons for war and violence. You won't need them if you really want peace. The last being relativity, humans create divisions and
preferences of their own that do not exist and that nature does not care about, live in the moment. Whereas Confucius had an order that needed to
followed, Tao Te Chang did not. The ying yang is a good way that symbolizes this. There is always light and darkness, and there is light in darkness
and dark in light. The circle represents its circular motion that it goes back and forth with each

Conception of the Interaction Between Substance in...
A significant aspect in Leibniz's Monadology and Discourse on Metaphysics, is his conception of simple substance and interaction. Leibniz assigns the
term Monad to all simple substances. Monads are beings without parts, for which "neither extension, nor shape, nor divisibility is possible" (M3).
Monads can exist as determined, necessary, finite, or infinite beings. For Leibniz, God exists as the only one necessary and infinite Monad, who is the
sole causer of the infinity many determined, independent and finite Monads in the universe, all of which are contingent on God for their existence
(D14). Leibniz claimed that all created Monads "have within them a certain perfection; there is a kind of self sufficiency which makes them the source
of ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
God is infinite because he cannot be limited by another substance, because there are no two substances with identical attributes, such as mind and
extension, which express his infinite essence (II/90). Therefore, another substance could not interact, limit, prevent, or eliminate God because they do
not share any attributes in common (EI–P3). Thus the only substance that exists, is God, because only the essence of God contain could contain all the
attributes that define substance, otherwise we would not be able to conceive of him. Spinoza's idea of parallelism states that the attributes of thought
and extension are two different ways of expressing the same substance, God, which exist on two separate levels that run parallel to one another and do
not interact or share a casual relationship. Therefore, ideas are not based on extended things and extended things are not created by ideas (EII–P5,
EII–P6). A causal relationship between thought and extension is impossible because, extended things can only cause other extended things, while
thoughts can only cause other thoughts. Thus, there is a causal relationship/interaction between bodies, and a separate

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
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

Explain The Derivation Of The Word Metaphysics

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