The exploration of metaphysical interpretations of reality delves into the core questions about free will, identity, and change. Identity is defined as the unique aspect that makes an entity recognizable, while change refers to the alteration of that identity.
Objects and their Properties. Brief Abstraction Analysis: The world contains many individual things. Whether they be physical or not. Key Philosophers: Descartes, Russell, Alfred Edward Taylor. Key Theories: Pragmatism, Substance Theory, Objecthood, Holism, Reductionism.
Real Life Example: If I am petting my cat, and I am able to assign a soft quality to its fur, this is a real physical thing. If I am imagining a dragon but cannot touch it or assign a real property to it, it is not a real thing, but it is still something.
Analysis: If objects exist, and there are properties associated with them, we can argue that our world exists according to the same principles. We can feel the earth and assign properties to it, so it must be real. We can physically interact with it.
Cosmology and Cosmogony. Brief Abstraction Analysis: Cosmology: study of the cosmos or universe.
Cosmogony: a scientific explanation of how the universe came into being. Key Philosophers: Spinoza, Voltaire Plotinus. Key Theories: Deism, Theology.
Real Life Example: a modern institution that studies how/why the universe came to be is NASA.
Analysis: Physical cosmology provides empirical evidence relating to physics, astrophysics, and astronomy (5). In relation to metaphysics, however, we must look beyond science. Why was the universe created? What caused the universe to be created? If we can understand why the world was created, we can understand if the world really exists. If something has a purpose, it must first exist. Whether the universe was created by God, or through varying sciences and reactions, it is clear that the world must exist for us to be in it, experiencing it.
Space and Time. Brief Abstraction Analysis: A traditional realist position is that time and space have an existence independent from the human mind.
Key Philosophers and Theorists: J.M.E McTaggart, Albert Einstein, Descartes, Leibniz, Isaac Newton, Ernst Mach. Key Theories: The Bucket Argument, Absolutism, Principle of Relativity, Conventionalism.
Real Life Example: NASA.
Analysis: Observing is the only way we can tell if either space or time is really real. When we experience time (whether it passes faster or slower), and as we see the day changing, we can understand that while we have created numbers to represent time, it is still a real thing that passes by us. The cycle of aging also represents time. In regards to space, empirical evidence provided by NASA (photos, recordings, etc.) show us the universe where we cannot see it. But if we cannot see it, how can we be sure that it is really there?
Does God exist?
Abstract Objects and Mathematics. Brief Abstraction Analysis: It is widely supposed that every entity falls into one of two categories: some are concrete; the rest are abstract; fictional entities. Key Philosophers: Aristotle, Plato. Key Theories: Nominalism, Realism, Platonic Forms, Conceptualism.
Real Life Example:
Analysis:
Necessity and Possibility. Brief Abstraction Analysis: Thomas Aquinas: use this argument to explain the existence of God by stating that if it is possible for nothing to have ever existed, then nothing would exist still. Key Philosophers: Thomas Aquinas, Leibniz, David Lewis, Aristotle. Key Theories: Modal Realism, Cosmological Argument, Quantum Mechanics.
Real Life Example: If my name is Hania across all worlds, this is a necessary fact. If my name if Hania only in some worlds, this is a possible fact.
Analysis: This argument can be based off of the following statement: something had to come before nothing. According to Thomas Aquinas, if there was nothing to begin with, there would be nothing now. Particles, collision, and the like had to come from somewhere.
Religion and Spirituality. Brief Abstraction Analysis: Is there a divine being that intervenes directly in the world? Are there multiple gods? Key Philosophers: Hume, Kierkegarrd, Nietzsche, Marilyn McCord Adams, Aquinas. Key Theories: Scholasticism, Fideism, Deism, Atheism, Humanism, Monotheism.
Real Life Example: Religious institutions rely on the fact that God is real, and that he interacts (listens) to their prayers every day. Depending on the faith, there may be different ways of praying or multiple Gods.
Analysis: Depending on what you believe in and what your religion states, you may believe that a divine being is intervening on the daily. Similarly, depending on your religion, there may be multiple gods. These factors are based off whether or not God actually exists (which varies depending on the individual).
Do we have free will?
Religion and Spirituality. Brief Abstraction Analysis: Questions the nature of religion and spirituality. Key Philosophers: Hume, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Marilyn McCord Adams, Aquinas. Key Theories: Scholasticism, Fideism, Deism, Atheism, Humanism, Monotheism.
Real Life Example: Those practicing Islam (mostly) believe they are heading towards an absolute destiny. Those practicing Atheism (mostly) believe they are currently creating their destiny.
Analysis: Depending on the religion, individuals may believe they are previously assigned destinies. For example, in Islam, we are taught that our destinies are set, but our actions to get to that point are our own. Free will allows people to believe in whatever they want, gives them a choice on which guidelines (either self-made or provided) to live by.
Identity and Change. Brief Abstraction Analysis: Identity is whatever makes an entity definable and recognizable: it is what makes something unique. Change is an alternation of that identity. Key Philosophers: Aristotle, Leibniz. Key Theories: Law of Identity, Law of Causality.
Real Life Example: If a someone chooses mint ice-cream over chocolate ice-cream, we can assume that in the past they did not like the flavour they avoided.
Analysis: People are built off of their identities. An identity is based on past experiences (priming) and bias. These experiences and ideas influence how we see the world, and therefore how we make decisions. We make our own decisions (free will).
Determinism and Free Will. Brief Abstraction Analysis: Free Will: we have the power to choose. We are rational agents that have autonomous control over our own actions and decisions. Key Philosophers: Spinoza, Hobbes. Key Theories: Determinism, Fatalism, Compatibilism.
Real Life Example: If I don’t tie my shoelace, and I end up tripping, this was a result of a choice I willingly made.
Analysis: We think about things before we do them. We run ideas through our head before carrying them out. Because we think things through, and our actions often rely on our cognitive ability, I believe we have free will.
What is consciousness?
Mind and Matter. Brief Abstraction Analysis: Can our thought processes influence our physical reality? Mind and matter focus on where our consciousness resides. Key Philosophers: Locke, Berkeley, Kant, Spinoza. Key Theories: Dualistic Theory, Cartesian Skepticism.
Real Life Example: You might be thinking of ice-cream, but you cannot manifest it in front of you. You can, however, assign value to that ice-cream or set a goal to get it.
Analysis: If we look at the term ‘physical’ as making thoughts into a reality for yourself, our thoughts can definitely influence our physical reality. By thinking things through, or lack of thinking, we can influence what opportunities we achieve or the situation we are in. In psychology, Dr. Haidt discusses a parallel between emotional mental processes and reasonable mental processes. I believe this applies to this abstract, as the ‘elephant and the rider’ can be applied to our physical reality and our consciousness. The elephant (our physical reality) acts before our consciousness (the rider). Because of this unstable mind and body connection, I also believe while our thinking can influence our choices (and as a result, our reality), our physical reality behaves without the consent of our consciousness.
Determinism and Free Will. Brief Abstraction Analysis: Free Will: the opposite of determinism. It contains the power of choice – it proposed that we are rational agents that have autonomous control over our own actions and decisions.
Key Philosophers: Spinoza, Hobbes. Key Theories: Determinism, Fatalism, Compatibilism.
Real Life Example: If I do not do my assignment and end up failing, this consequence would stem from my own choices (my free will).
Analysis: If we are able to choose our own destinies, and are able to consider our own choices and process them, this is a sign of free will. Without being able to think about the choices that lie ahead of us (whether they be positive or negative), we would not be able to determine our own path. Our consciousness fuels our power of choice.
Existence and Consciousness. Breif Abstraction Analysis: Consciousness is the faculty by which we perceive that things exist. You can’t logically deny your mind’s existence at the same time that you are using your mind to do the denying. Axiomatic: a statement accepted as true as there is no more basic way to prove or disprove it since it is self-evident or unquestionable. Key Philosophers: Descartes, Locke, Leibniz, Thomas Nagel, David Chalmers. Key Theories: Epistemology, Ontology, Truth of Being.
Real Life Example: If you are thinking during a test, and discussing with yourself what the answer may be, you are using your conscious mind.
Analysis: “There is nothing more valid than the existence of experience.” (1). Since we are able to perceive and we are able to think and use our consciousness to derive meaning, it must be there (uncontradiction). In an evolutionary sense (4), we have always thought longer about negative things, so they do not harm us or trick us again. We see what we need to see, rather than what is there. I believe this is clear indication that we are conscious about what we do: we are constantly avoiding, focusing, ignoring and applying.
What is the meaning of life?
Objects and their Properties. Brief Abstraction Analysis: The world contains many things, whether they be physical or they be abstract things (happiness). Some metaphysician are interested in the nature of objects and their properties, and the relationship between the two. Key philosophers: Descartes, Russell, Alfred Edward Taylor. Key Theories: Pragmatism, Substance Theory, Objecthood, Holism, Reductionism.
Real Life Example: Happiness is a thing, and something that can be attained. A cat is also a thing, and can be attained. The former is physical, and the latter is abstract.
Analysis: value associated with objects may put meaning in the lives of others. For example, money (attaining it or having it) may have significant value for people, as it can allow them to reach their goals and prosper. People might value their loved ones, and for their sake will find meaning. The world contains many things, which can be attributed value, and which others may prescribe meaning to.
Identity and Change. Brief Abstraction Analysis: identity is whatever makes an entity definable and recognizable. It’s what makes something unique. Change is an alteration of that identity. Key question: How does change affect reality or existence? Key Philosophers: Aristotle, Leibniz. Key theories: Law of Identity, Law of Causality.
Real Life Example: If I choose not to continue a course, it is understood that I did not continue it because of my past experiences with it, or my bias against it.
Analysis: Your identity is shaped based off of priming (past experiences) and personal bias. Without identity, it is impossible to find true value or purpose. If you do not care about anything, and do not look forward to anything, what is the point of life? Is there a reason to continue living? “Strong identification with present commitments and reduced ruminative exploration helped adolescents in having a clear sense of meaning in their lives.” (3). This study shows that when establishing a reason to live/meaning in one’s life, identity and commitment correlate with the meaning established.
Existence and Consciousness. Brief Abstraction Description: Consciousness is the faculty by which we perceive that things exist – but how trustworthy is our perception. Key Philosophers: Descartes, Locke, Leibniz, Thomas Nagel, David Chalmers. Key Theories: Epistemology, Ontology, Truth of Being.
Real Life Example: If I see a cat and think about how pretty it is, I am using my conscious to analyze what I perceive.
Analysis: The meaning of life relates to our perception of the world: if there is something we are looking forward to, or something we value, this gives our life meaning. It gives our life reasoning. When our perception of the world is negative, we do not see any reason, and therefore no meaning, attached to our lives. Our consciousness facilitates this perception, as stated in the text. “The relevant sort of qualitative character is not restricted to sensory states, but is typically taken to be present as an aspect of experiential states in general, such as experienced thoughts or desires." (2)
