METAPHYSICS

METAPHYSICS

1. Derived from the greek words 'Meta', which means beyond or after, and 'Physika', which means physics.

2. The study of reality that is beyond the scientific or mathematical realms. This term means literally "beyond the physical".

3. COSMOLOGY: Branch of the metaphysics which tries to explain the theories, origin, and the development of the nature of the cosmos (universe).

   • According to Zoroastrians, there are two God forces responsible for controlling the phenomena of universe. According to Jain scholars, the seven tattvas (principles) lay the foundation of study of metaphysics. These seven principles are jiva (living beings), ajiva (non-living matter), bandh (karmic attachment), asrava (inflow of karmic matter), samvara (stoppage of new karma), nirjara (burning up the existing karma) and moksha (emancipation or liberation).

4. TELEOLOGY: (from Greek telos, “end,” and logos, “reason”) Branch of the metaphysics which tries to clear on subjects pertaining to whether or not there is purpose in the universe.

   • The most-celebrated account of teleology was that given by Aristotle when he declared that a full explanation of anything must consider its final cause as well as its efficient, material, and formal causes

5. ONTOLOGY: Branch of the metaphysics which deals with the meaning of existence, and tries to resolve the question of whether existence is identical with space, time, nature, spirit, or God.

   • According to the followers of Plato, the entities of the world are those referred to by means of ‘nouns’. Those who don’t follow the Platonic definition of being state that it is not possible to understand the concept clearly by just studying about ‘nouns’. The state of being also relates to events and thoughts.