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Back to PH485 Table of ContentMetaphysicsI. Conceptualization of MetaphysicsOriginal meaning: From the Greek meta to physika (After the things of nature). The phrase ta meta ta physika bibli (The book after the books on nature) was not used by Aristotle himself.A. Developed definitionFor Aristotle:The first philosophy or theology SuperscienceThe nature of being as beingFor later classical and medieval philosophers: Moving from perception.For modern philosophers:The study of transcending nature.For Kant:A priori speculation.A science of transcendence with self-contradiction.For Hume:Anything abstruse and highly theoretical.For Wolf:A science by analysis from the logical principle of identity or contradiction.A complete definition:The study of the nature of ultimate reality and the dynamic principle (natural, supernatural, or other) by which reality exists.B. Roles of metaphysics (1) To interpret, harmonize and rationalize experience. (2) To correct and relate different sciences.C. Division of metaphysicsGeneral part: Ontology - general corporeal or spiritual being.Special parts: Rational cosmology - the world; rational psychology soul; rational theology - GodD. General questionWhat is the fundamental nature of man and surrounding universe?Metaphysics of the microcosm-the nature of the human personMetaphysics of the macrocosm-the nature of the human person's total environmentE. Six Schools(1) The teleologists(2) The materialists(3) The dualists(4) The idealists(5) The organicists(6) The skepticsII. History of MetaphysicsA. The Ancient Metaphysics1. Pre-Socratics(1) The Milesian SchoolThales: Nature as waterAnaximander: Nature as endless combinations and contrasts of color tasteAnaximenes: Nature as airCommon notions of this school:Natural monismEverlasting cosmic substanceBoundless expanseNature as the source of the present and other world systemsThe transformation(2) Pythagoras: All things as numbers(3) Heraclitus: Nature as fire(4) Ionian Cosmologists: Origin of physical universe(5) Parmenides (the beginning of metaphysics):Three characteristicsDistinction with sciencesA philosophical account of universeThe logical consequences of saying "it is";Logical monism2. Later Pre-Socratics(1) Zeno: Paradoxes of motion(2) Anaxagoras: (logical pluralism): Reality is many and changing(3) Atomism: Nature is formed by atoms Empedocles Lencippus Democritus3. Plato(1) Theory of ideas or forms: a. Idea existing independently of things b. Mind or soul as a kind of entityc. Mind or soul as the ultimate source of observed motions(2) General criterion of reality a. Materialism and idealism(3) Four concepts of equal generality a. Sameness, difference, rest, and motion4. Aristotle(1) The most fundamental questions a. Concerned the concepts of being and unity(2) The center of metaphysics a. An explicit analysis of sense of being(3) The source of all motions and changes a. The ultimate prime mover(4) The basic subjects of discourse a. The common-sense things(5) The first substance a. Objective individual things(6) Four causes--Cause is reality; cause can explain reality a. Material cause b. Formal causec. Efficient cause d. Final cause(7) Two qualities: a. Potentiality, and b. Actuality(8) Four basic terminologies a. Necessity b. Nature c. Chance (Spontaneity or Fortune); d. Man(9) Teleological explanation of the world a. All things must be determined towards and end(10) Four propositions on reality(11) Ten categories a. Corresponding to existence or reality b. Such as quality and quantity5. Neo-Platonism (As a link between ancient and medieval philosophies)B. The Medieval Metaphysics1. Augustinian tradition - realism(1) St. Anselm a. Ontological proof of God's existence b. Four key points2. Revival of Aristotle's philosophy(1) St. Thomas Aquinas a. The distinctions between essence and existence, b. Necessary and contingent existence, and c. Particular and universals(2) Scotus - a realist(3) William of Ockham - a nominalistC. The Modern Metaphysics1. The humanistic period(1) The renaissance broke with scholasticism (no longer as a slave of theology)(2) From theologized philosophy to humanized philosophy2. The natural science period(1) To establish metaphysics in a scientific foundation(2) New systems and new methods for philosophical investigation(3) Empiricism Bacon and Hobbes(4) Rationalism Descartes (As the originator of modern philosophy) a. A firm superstructure - To establish a firm superstructure in the science b. Conception of philosophical method and truth-By mathematical proposition and the postulate of geometry c. Two criteria d. Cogito ergo sum (I think; therefore I am) e. Three Substances The first - God The second - mind The third - matter Spinoza (For clarity and distinctness of metaphysics) a. Metaphysics as a deductive account of universe b. Four arguments for the existence of God Leibniz (For scientific metaphysics) a. Metaphysical truths being logically necessary b. Four proofs for metaphysical assertions c. Pluralistic metaphysical idealism d. Monads as absolutely simple substances2. The enlightenment period(1) Into the problem of extent and limits of human knowledge and power of understanding(2) Locke (Opening a empirical way for the science) a. Critical discussion of substance and essence b. Only knowing qualities of things not things in themselves c. Rejection of innate ideas d. Objective origin of ideas - all knowledge comes from experience e. Two qualities in the external world f. Three complex ideas(3) Berkeley (Idealistic empiricism) a. Phenomenalism b. Mentalism - "to be is to be perceived"(4) Hume a. Rejection of all substance b. "habitual association of ideas" c. "No evidence" d. "No the existence of any self and spirit" e. Antimetaphysical challenge4. The idealistic period(1) Kant a. Critical idealism b. Skepticism c. "Things in themselves"(2) Hegel a. Absolute idealism b. Dialectic Metaphysics5. The contemporary period(1) Pragmatism(2) Logical positivism(3) Ordinary-language philosophy(4) Phenomenology(5) Existentialism(6) Philosophy of


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Cal Poly Pomona PHL 485 - Metaphysics

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