Metaphysics: Problem of Reality

Metaphysics is that branch of philosophy what deals with the problems of reality. It discusses the theories on nature of reality like idealism and materialism; theories on number of realities like monism, dualism and pluralism; theories on nature of life like mechanism, vitalism etc. It also discusses some abstract concepts like God, soul, will, space-time, mind-body relation and so on.

Branches of Metaphysics

There are two branches of metaphysics.

1. Cosmology
2. Ontology

Cosmology is that branch of metaphysics what deals with the origin and development of the universe. What is the basic stuff of universe? How the universe has been developed? etc. are the basic cosmological questions. Matter, motion, space, time etc. are the dealing issues of cosmology.

Ontology is that branch of metaphysics what deals with the problem of being. It is the study of essence of things. What is the basic stuff of world or anything? How many basic stuff or essence are there? etc. are the basic ontological questions. Basic stuff, God, soul etc. are the dealing issues of ontology.

A metaphysical discussion can be both cosmological and ontological. For example, discussion of the basic stuff of the universe. It is cosmological as it is about origin of the world and it is ontological as it is about the essence of the world.

Idealism and Materialism

Idealism and Materialism are theories on nature of reality. According to idealism, the basic stuff of the universe is idea or spirit or mind. It is different from epistemic idealism. And according to materialism the basic stuff of the universe is matter.

Monism, Dualism and Pluralism

Monism, Dualism and Pluralism are theories on number of realities. For monism basic stuff is one, for dualism basic stuff are two and for pluralism basic stuff are more than two. A monist or dualist or pluralist can be idealist or materialist.

Mechanism and Vitalism

Mechanism and Vitalism are theories on nature of life. How life behaves in this world? According to mechanism everything is running mechanically, life is working like a machine. On the other hand according to vitalism there are something vital force as the basis of the life.

Philosophy of religion, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science freedom of the will etc. are also dealing issues of metaphysics.