Why Metaphysics Is Important ? Branches, Relevance In Real Life & In Education
Why do we exist? What makes reality real? Can time, space, and numbers have meaning beyond our perception? These aren’t just abstract puzzles—they are the timeless questions that belong to metaphysics, the branch of philosophy that dares to go beyond the physical and search for life’s deepest truths. While science explains how things work, metaphysics asks why they exist in the first place.
Understanding why metaphysics is important isn’t about solving every mystery of the universe—it’s about learning to think beyond appearances, question assumptions, and discover the hidden principles that shape both our inner and outer worlds. But before we dive into its relevance for philosophy, science, and everyday life, let’s pause and answer a simple yet profound question: What is Metaphysics?
What Is Metaphysics
At first glance, the word metaphysics might sound like an advanced version of physics—but its roots tell a different story. In ancient Greek, meta simply meant “after.” The term was first used by editors of Aristotle’s writings to label the works that came after his books on physics. While physics explored things that move and transform, Aristotle’s writings on metaphysics delved into what remains constant, what truly is, and what lies beyond change.
In modern usage, metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that asks the most fundamental questions about existence—What kinds of things exist? How do they relate to one another? Why is there something rather than nothing? Unlike natural science, which relies on experiments and measurements, metaphysical inquiry uses reasoning, reflection, and critical thought to address realities that can’t always be tested in a lab.
This has often led to the suspicion that metaphysics is “outdated” or merely abstract. Thinkers from David Hume to Immanuel Kant questioned whether we can meaningfully discuss what lies beyond human experience. Yet, despite such doubts, the importance of metaphysics endures. After all, even science assumes ideas—like numbers, causation, or the very structure of reality—that are deeply metaphysical at their core.
Consider mathematics: physics uses equations every day, but it never explains what numbers are. Are they real entities? Are they just human inventions? Without the metaphysics of numbers, we cannot truly grasp why mathematics works so effectively in describing the universe.
This has often led to the suspicion that metaphysics is “outdated” or merely abstract. Thinkers from David Hume to Immanuel Kant questioned whether we can meaningfully discuss what lies beyond human experience. Yet, despite such doubts, the importance of metaphysics endures. After all, even science assumes ideas—like numbers, causation, or the very structure of reality—that are deeply metaphysical at their core.
Consider mathematics: physics uses equations every day, but it never explains what numbers are. Are they real entities? Are they just human inventions? Without the metaphysics of numbers, we cannot truly grasp why mathematics works so effectively in describing the universe.
And metaphysics isn’t confined to academic debates—it shapes our social and political ideas too. When Margaret Thatcher once claimed, “There is no such thing as society”, she was making a bold metaphysical claim about reality: that only individuals exist, and society is nothing over and above them. The opposing view—that society does exist as a real entity—is equally metaphysical. Such disputes show how metaphysics quietly influences our worldview, from how we define ourselves to how we build communities.
In fact, every time you ask, “What am I really—just a body, a soul, or a stream of consciousness?”, you’re already engaging in metaphysical thinking. Far from being irrelevant, metaphysics matters because it challenges us to question assumptions, clarify what we believe about existence, and explore truths that science alone cannot answer.
Why Metaphysics is Important
At first glance, metaphysical questions like “What is time?”, “Does God exist?”, or “Why does anything exist at all?” may feel distant from our daily concerns. Some might even dismiss them as pointless because they lack clear, scientific answers. But that’s exactly where their importance lies. By exploring the limits of knowledge and pushing beyond what science alone can answer, metaphysics in philosophy opens doors to deeper clarity, meaning, and intellectual growth. Let’s break down why this branch of philosophy truly matters:
It Sharpens Our Thinking
Instead of dealing with surface-level facts, metaphysics in philosophy trains us to question assumptions, analyze concepts deeply, and think beyond appearances. This clarity of thought strengthens our reasoning in every field of life.It Complements Science, Not Competes
Physics explains how the universe works, but metaphysics in science dares to ask why anything exists at all. Together, they provide a fuller understanding of reality.It Exposes Hidden Assumptions
Questions about numbers, causation, time, and reality are metaphysical at their core. Science uses them daily but doesn’t explain their ultimate nature. Metaphysics ensures we don’t take these foundations for granted.It Enriches Everyday Life
Beyond classrooms and research, metaphysics in everyday life invites us to reflect on meaning, purpose, and identity. It helps us see ourselves as part of a larger cosmic story rather than just routine existence.It Awakens Wonder and Imagination
As Heidegger suggested, the real value of philosophy lies in awakening us to the question of Being. Why metaphysics is important is not about finding all the answers—it’s about keeping the questions alive, opening our minds, and inspiring intellectual curiosity.
Characteristics Of Metaphysics
At first glance, metaphysics may appear abstract or distant from everyday life. Yet in reality, it is one of the most important ways we learn to understand existence, reality, and truth. When we ask questions like “What does it mean to exist?” or “What is identity, change, or causality?”, we are already engaging in metaphysical thinking. Its characteristics highlight why it has been a central pillar of philosophy since ancient times.
1. Exploration of Existence
The first characteristic of metaphysics is its concern with the fundamental nature of being. It examines what it means for something to exist and what makes reality what it is. Concepts such as being, identity, and change are explored to uncover the underlying structure of existence. This helps us think beyond appearances and look for the essence of things.
2. Abstract and Conceptual Inquiry
Unlike natural sciences that rely on experiments, metaphysics is about questions beyond direct observation. It investigates ideas such as causality, necessity, possibility, and universals—things that cannot be seen or measured but can be reasoned about. By using logical analysis and thought experiments, metaphysics gives us tools to think clearly about concepts that science alone cannot fully answer.
3. Branches Within Metaphysics
Metaphysics is not one-dimensional; it has multiple branches that deal with different aspects of reality:
Ontology – The study of being and existence. It tries to answer what kinds of things truly exist and how they can be classified.
Cosmology – Concerned with the origin and structure of the universe, it explores the nature of time, space, matter, and cosmic order.
Epistemology (intersection) – While mainly focused on knowledge, it overlaps with metaphysics in examining the nature of truth, justification, and belief.
4. A Framework for Understanding
Ultimately, the characteristics of metaphysics show that it is not just abstract speculation. It provides a conceptual framework to make sense of reality and our place within it. By addressing the deepest questions of life, it connects philosophy with science, ethics, and even spirituality—helping us see the bigger picture of existence.
Is Metaphysics Real
Some philosophers argue that metaphysics has no real unity at all. In fact, a stronger claim has been made: that there is no such thing as metaphysics—at least not as a proper science or discipline. From this perspective, metaphysical claims are seen as either meaningless or as statements whose truth can never actually be determined. Since the time of David Hume, many thinkers have dismissed metaphysics as “impossible,” either because its questions lack meaning or because they cannot be answered in principle.
To unpack this, let’s look at two versions of this idea:
1.The strong thesis claims that all metaphysical statements are meaningless. According to this view, what we call “metaphysical statements” are not genuine statements at all, but merely sentences that look like they have meaning. Logical positivists, for example, argued that a statement only has meaning if it can be tied to possible experiences or observations.
1.The strong thesis claims that all metaphysical statements are meaningless. According to this view, what we call “metaphysical statements” are not genuine statements at all, but merely sentences that look like they have meaning. Logical positivists, for example, argued that a statement only has meaning if it can be tied to possible experiences or observations. Since metaphysical claims do not make such predictions, they concluded that metaphysics was nothing more than empty talk—mere language dressed up as philosophy. But here’s the problem: their own central claim (“the meaning of a statement lies in its predictions about experience”) doesn’t pass its own test. No observation or experiment could ever prove it true or false. In other words, if their rule is right, then their rule itself becomes meaningless. This makes logical positivism self-contradictory, or as philosophers put it, “self-referentially incoherent.”
Since metaphysical claims do not make such predictions, they concluded that metaphysics was nothing more than empty talk—mere language dressed up as philosophy. But here’s the problem: their own central claim (“the meaning of a statement lies in its predictions about experience”) doesn’t pass its own test. No observation or experiment could ever prove it true or false. In other words, if their rule is right, then their rule itself becomes meaningless. This makes logical positivism self-contradictory, or as philosophers put it, “self-referentially incoherent.”
The same issue haunts more recent defenders of “metaphysical anti-realism.” Like the positivists, they argue that metaphysical claims fail some test of meaningfulness—but ironically, the arguments they use often fail those very same tests. This suggests that the strong thesis may collapse under its own weight.
2. The weak thesis, by contrast, doesn’t say metaphysics is meaningless. Instead, it suggests that human beings simply lack the mental capacity to settle metaphysical questions. This line of thought goes back at least to Kant, who argued that human reason hits a limit when trying to reach ultimate truths. A modern version of this view is found in Colin McGinn’s “cognitive closure” thesis (1993), which proposes that our brains, shaped by evolution, are simply not built to grasp
certain kinds of philosophical truths—including metaphysical ones. While this is a more modest and less self-defeating claim than the strong thesis, it still rests on speculative assumptions about human cognition that science has yet to confirm.
2. The weak thesis, by contrast, doesn’t say metaphysics is meaningless. Instead, it suggests that human beings simply lack the mental capacity to settle metaphysical questions. This line of thought goes back at least to Kant, who argued that human reason hits a limit when trying to reach ultimate truths. A modern version of this view is found in Colin McGinn’s “cognitive closure” thesis (1993), which proposes that our brains, shaped by evolution, are simply not built to grasp certain kinds of philosophical truths—including metaphysical ones. While this is a more modest and less self-defeating claim than the strong thesis, it still rests on speculative assumptions about human cognition that science has yet to confirm.
Examples of Metaphysics in Real Life
Most people see metaphysics as something only for philosophers who spend their days discussing weird ideas in libraries. But actually, metaphysics is all around us in everyday life if we just pay attention.
Like, when you ask, Why did this happen? you’re really asking about what caused it. Is there a reason for everything? If so, then life is like a machine that can be predicted. If not, then luck also has something to do with how the world works.
Or, when you ask yourself, Who am I, really? you’re wondering about what makes you, you. Are you just your body, or are your thoughts and memories what really make you who you are?
Then there’s the old question about how the mind and body relate to each other. We feel like our thoughts and feelings are more than just our brain reacting to things. But is the mind a thing of its own, or is it just what we call our brain doing its thing? This question matters even more now when we’re talking about AI, robots, and if they can think.
Another good example is free will compared to fate. When you decide if you want tea or coffee, you think you’re making the choice. But do the way you were raised, your genes, and where you live already decide for you? If everything is set in stone, then what does being responsible even mean?
Metaphysics is also part of our day-to-day when we decide if someone’s actions are bad or good, when we aren’t sure about who we are, or when we ask ourselves if the future can be predicted. There is something that ties us all to these metaphysical questions. Basically, metaphysics in our daily lives shows us that philosophy isn’t just some complicated theory. It’s a way for us to look at the important questions in our lives, like cause and effect, choices, or being aware.
Examples of Metaphysics in Education
School’s not just about tests and grades, right? Big ideas are always in the air. It’s less about memorizing stuff and more about getting you to think. Like, kids love space. When they study the cosmos, they pick up science and see how our beliefs shape our view of everything. Thinking about reality makes them ask, is what’s real just what we can touch? Or is there something else? Checking out different cultures at school is great too.
It lets students understand people—how we work, what we think is right, and if we’re in charge of our actions. Students start to wonder if we decide our own path or if it’s already decided. Also, when they look at religion, they see how beliefs affect what we consider right and how we see the world. Teachers bring this up when talking about space in science, teaching ways to relax, and going over values in history.
These ideas help students throughout school, even if they don’t notice it. So, it’s not just about knowing everything. When students think about big questions, they get better at thinking for themselves, wanting to learn more, and finding out who they are. They see that learning isn’t just about marks. It’s about understanding themselves and finding out what they want. It’s about growing up and accepting who they are.
4. A Framework for Understanding
Ultimately, the characteristics of metaphysics show that it is not just abstract speculation. It provides a conceptual framework to make sense of reality and our place within it. By addressing the deepest questions of life, it connects philosophy with science, ethics, and even spirituality—helping us see the bigger picture of existence.
