Metaphysics
CHAPTER 5
Learning Outcome
To explain the relationship between man and nature in the context of old cosmology and current
ecology
To explain the belief and the relationship between man and God in the context of theology
To describe the emergence of metaphysic system
INTRODUCTION
• AT TENDANCE POWERAPPS
• STUDENTS AT TENDANCE REPORT
• REVISION ON CHAPTER 4
• QUIZ 1
• SSRT
What is Metaphysics?
From the words
◦ Meta -beyond
◦ Physics – material nature
◦ Metaphysics – beyond material nature
There are two main definition of metaphysics
◦ Related to philosophy – the study of the most abstract concept/phenomena
◦ Example: cause and effect
◦ Related to religion – the phenomena that beyond material nature
◦ Example: Life after death, heaven, fire
◦ The immaterial cannot be proved by sense, or rational or empirical
◦ It can be proved by revelation
Metaphysics is also known as:
first philosophy
first science
wisdom
theology
The branches of Metaphysics
Idealism
Ontology
Materialism
Theism
Metaphysics
Theology Atheism
Universal
Agnostism
Science
Metaphysics and Religion
In the religious understanding, reality is not only limited to the physical that can be proved by
rational, empirical, etc.
The reality is also portrayed by the immaterial such as soul, angel, etc.
Reality is not limited to only physical or metaphysics, it cover both.
It is different with the materialist who reject the soul and psychology.
The Field of Metaphysics
Ontology (theory regarding substance/the existence)
Cause-effect (causality) and cosmogony (the origin of nature)
Cosmology (the phenomena of nature)
Subject, predicate, and taxonomy
Necessity and contingency
Mind and matter
Free-will and determinism
The relationship of Man
and Nature
The theory of materialism
Any things that can be seen
Believe that the existence of substance and matter is real
Idea has no reality and depends on substance to exist
Deny the spiritual/soul/unseen things
◦ Reject religion
◦ Oxygen and wind exist as it can be felt by the sense
The theory of idealism
The existence of immaterial
Idea has no substance and matter
The reality of idea is psychological or spiritual exist
.
.
.
.
The relationship of Man
and God
NATURAL THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY OF GOD
The horizontal relationship
Mechanism
◦ Nature and human are like machine
Determinism
◦ The man action is explained by the cause-effect or has been decided
◦ Two type of determinism
◦ Intrinsic: everything happen due to the man action
◦ Extrinsic: everything happen due to the external factor
Realism
◦ Nature exist significantly and objectively
◦ Darwinism: The nature exist naturally
The vertical relationship
Were discussed in natural theology and philosophy of God
Is God exist?
Theism
◦ The reality is exist, even the existence cannot be empirically proved
◦ Monotheism – the only one God
◦ Polytheism -
Atheism
◦ The reality not exist, only the exist is material
Agnostism
◦ Disputable
Religious Metaphysic
Reality is not only in substance
Religion is not limited to material and idea, it cover both
Religion reject materialism
Metaphysics System
Several system of Metaphysics
Atheism
Theism
Monotheism
Agnostism
Politheism
Monism
Pluralism
Scientism
Mechanism
Realism
Idealisme
Nominalism
Metaphysics for
Knowledge
Development
The Emergence of Metaphysics
Knowledge
In the late 19th century, science philosopher were not in agree with the mistic and irrational thinking
of Europe’s society.
◦ It is regarding their response toward primitive thinking
◦ They reject any idea that cannot be verified by sense
◦ Science replace metaphysics
Auguste Comte:
◦Theology
◦Metaphysics
◦Science
Ernst Mach (science = positivism)
◦ Philosophy system were based on real fact and science law.
◦ A statement can be accepted if were tested empirically.