From the Greek language, the word "metaphysics" is translated as "what is after physics." First of all, this concept is associated with just one of the philosophical teachings on the principles of being and on being in general. In addition, the word "metaphysics" was used as a synonym for philosophy. We can say that she appeared along with philosophy, calling herself her sister. For the first time, metaphysics in ancient Greek philosophy was thoroughly mentioned in the writings of Aristotle, and this term was introduced by the librarian of the 1st century. BC e. Andronicus of Rhodes, who systematized the treatises of Aristotle.
Metaphysics in the philosophy of antiquity
In those days, there were two famous philosopher: Plato and his disciple Aristotle. The main feature of metaphysics in the first thinker was the perception of everything as a single whole. Aristotle, however, identified several sciences that emphasize various things, and the doctrine of the essence was at the head. And it is impossible to consider the essence in its parts without seeing a holistic picture. Also, this scientist singled out metaphysics as the meaning of any person, comprehending which you can get the highest intellectual pleasure.
Metaphysics in the philosophy of the Middle Ages
In the understanding of medieval minds, this science is one of the forms of rational understanding of this world. The concept of metaphysics in the philosophy of the Middle Ages nevertheless came down to an understanding of God. It was believed that it was closer to the spiritual than to the material, and therefore could open the gate to the knowledge of the Almighty.
Metaphysics in Renaissance Philosophy
As you know, at this time, man was placed at the center of the whole universe. An in-depth study of the psychological characteristics and spiritual world of man began. And metaphysics, from the point of view of religion, could not answer important questions of that time, therefore it was reduced to the level of dogma.
Metaphysics in the philosophy of the New Age
This concept at that time ceased to be limited by theology and again became a means of knowing nature, because science is beginning to hit hard on all aspects of life. Metaphysics is again getting to the top, but already of the natural sciences, and in some moments even merges with them. Philosophers of that era could not do without science. If in antiquity metaphysics was a science of being, in the Middle Ages, we can say that it is a science of God, then in modern times it has become a science of knowledge. The property of the new metaphysics is primarily the integrity of everything.
In the eighteenth century, the doctrine of being is faced with a crisis. This is due to the selection of sciences that have a more specific subject, and total criticism of everything has begun, metaphysics has also come under attack. Condemned for many years, she was divided into ontology and natural theology.
Immanuel Kant began to work on the revival of metaphysics, or rather, on its rebirth, changing its form and proving its principles. And the New Age for the doctrine of being ended on
Hegel's philosophy, which formed metaphysics not as empty accepted positions on faith, but as a theory for the unification of all sciences, the number of which is constantly growing.