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By 
Jim Stump
 on March 12, 2019

Wondering About What There Is

What is metaphysics? Metaphysics investigates those questions for which science cannot give definitive answers. Here’s some thought provoking clips and resources from Tim O’Connor, one of our speakers at the upcoming BioLogos19 Conference.

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What is metaphysics? Metaphysics investigates those questions for which science cannot give definitive answers. Here’s some thought provoking clips and resources from Tim O’Connor, one of our speakers at the upcoming BioLogos19 Conference.

What is metaphysics? Metaphysics investigates those questions for which science cannot give definitive answers. Here’s some thought provoking clips and resources from Tim O’Connor, one of our speakers at the upcoming BioLogos19 Conference.

There is a story — probably apocryphal — that the word ‘metaphysics’ came from the librarians who were trying to catalogue the works of Aristotle. They put his books about ethics, logic, and physics on the shelf, and then weren’t sure what to call the rest, so they just called them ta meta ta physica (the ones after physics).

The topics included in these books by Aristotle are among the most general questions we can ask, like what does it mean for something to exist? Think about that very long and it will make your brain hurt!

When I was teaching philosophy to undergraduates, often who didn’t have much of an idea what they had signed up for, I’d explain metaphysics by saying it tries to answer the question, What kinds of things are there, and what are those things like? Obviously there is some overlap with science in framing the question that way, but metaphysics investigates those for which science cannot give definitive answers. For example, the study of metaphysics includes:

  • Is there a God, and what is God like?
  • Do humans have souls or minds? What are those like?
  • Is free will an illusion?

There are some great bite-sized videos of Tim O’Connor discussing these questions (and others) on the Closer to Truth website. At his profile page, you can see twenty-six of these videos. Some are part of a bigger series, and you have to pay for the whole episode, but some stand alone and can be viewed for free.

I’d recommend starting with these:

Of course not all philosophers — not even all Christian philosophers — answer these questions the same way. But it is readily apparent that Tim has thought long and hard about them, and his answers are worth listening to. 

About the author

Jim Stump

Jim Stump

Jim Stump is Vice President of Programs at BioLogos. He oversees the editorial team, participates in strategic planning, and hosts the podcast, Language of God. Jim also writes and speaks on behalf of BioLogos. He has a PhD in philosophy and was formerly a professor and academic administrator. His earlier books include, Four Views on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design; Science and Christianity: An Introduction to the Issues; and How I Changed My Mind about Evolution. Most recently he has published, The Sacred Chain: How Understanding Evolutions Leads to Deeper Faith (HarperOne, 2024). You can email Jim Stump at james.stump@biologos.org or follow him on Substack.