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Introductory

A subject that I spend a fairly great deal of time thinking about, turning over in my head and following down various paths: metaphysics. What am I talking about when I say that word? This I think is a necessary preliminary to writing down my observations and ramblings.

I have never studied philosophy in a classroom setting; my definitions of terms may not always conform to the accepted definitions. Therefore I will try to avoid using terms which I am not familiar enough with to be confident that I am using them properly; or if I am not sure, I will make clear what meaning I believe the term to have.

Metaphysics, then, I believe to encompass all thinking on the question of what it means for a subject or an object to exist, the emphasis being on the physical existance of reality and the subject's perception of this physical reality. This may be overly broad, and it probably includes a couple of separate philosophical disciplines; however this is the sense in which I will use the term. My thinking is, "physics" = the study of physical reality; "meta-physics" = what does it mean, to study physical reality? what is this physical reality we are studying?

I will be writing a series of short essays, attempting to explicate the thoughts I have had in this regard. Some of the questions I want to answer: Why does the nature of reality even come into question? What are some ways I have attempted to answer the question, and how have the answers been satisfactory or unsatisfactory? What benefits would resolving the question bring? Is such a resolution in the cards?