What is Metaphysics?

Aristotle’s Metaphysics is perhaps the most fundamental work in the field of philosophy. The importance of this book is to the extent that it is now about 2000 years that its name is used to refer to first philosophy (philosophia prima) and theology. It is at least 1500 years that metaphysics is viewed as a science that discusses the basic principles, first causes, and subjects in particular sciences. Metaphysics, which was initially called first philosophy and universal science, consisted of two parts, one speaking of absolute existence and its essential accidents and the other discussing theology. Accordingly, the philosophers of the Islamic world called first philosophy or universal science theology and divided it into two parts: general affairs or theology in the general sense of the word, which discusses existence and its principles, causes, and accidents, and particular theology or theology in the particular sense of the word, which deals with problems related to oneness and attributes, names, and acts of the Almighty Necessary. Islamic philosophers were unanimous at least regarding the basic principles and many essential problems. However, in modern Western philosophy, metaphysical problems have developed a new form and, thus, different fields of philosophy have come into existence. The philosophers of the modern era, from the time of Descartes until now, have provided a definition for metaphysics which is apparently different from Aristotle’s. Instead of defining and describing this science, they have defined their own philosophy. The present paper aims to clarify the nature of metaphysics through a historical analysis of the subject of this scientific discipline.