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From: mlip%NADC@sri-unix.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Metaphysics
Message-ID: <417@sri-arpa.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 18-Jul-85 10:48:04 EDT
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.417
Posted: Thu Jul 18 10:48:04 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 20-Jul-85 10:07:02 EDT
Lines: 23


Aristotle was one of the first philosophers to attempt a rational
explanation of physical phenomena in nature.  His treatise on this
subject was entitled "phusike", derived from the Greek word for
nature.  Aristotle also wrote about being and the soul.  This
treatise was originally untitled.  Later, when Aristotles works were
consolidated, his writings on the soul were placed after the "phusike"
and given the innocuous title "metaphusike", literally meaning
following, after, or beyond the "phusike".  The title "metaphusike"
was chosen simply because of the ordering of Aristotle's works.

Over the years, the term metaphysics has evolved to mean the study of
anything that is beyond or transcends the physical world.  However, in
a strict classical sense, it is the study of being and the soul (human
and otherwise).

mlip@nadc

In Real Life:

Michael Lipczynski
Naval Air Developmnet Center
Warminster, PA.