Definition of Metaphysics: Nature Of Matter

By Times of India

Definition of Metaphysics: Nature Of Matter

We shall now take it for granted that matter, physical objects, the external world exist e.g. that there is a real table which exists independently of our sensations and of which the sensed qualities are the appearances.

The question is then: What is that matter like? To this question science provides one answer and it is very different from the answer of common sense belief.

The physical objects cause our sensations and those sensations reveal something about the objects in the sense that effects generally reveal something about their causes. The cause must be complex enough and have the sort of complexity sufficient to account for the complexity and structure of the appearances.

The physical space is not the same as our private experienced space, but must be connected with our private spaces in a certain way. Similarly for the time of physics as related to our experience of time.

Physical space and time must correspond to private spaces and times, but all we can know about them (about the structure of the external world) is that it must be such as to account for the correspondence. Thus we can assert similarity of structure, on a rather abstract level, but not that the objects and our sensations are alike (have common properties).

.

.

More from same author see: Times of India

See also: Metaphysical Principles, Definition of Metaphysics, Metaphysical Techniques, Miracles, Creating Miracles Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, Peace of Mind, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)