Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy dealing with the first principles of things, abstract concepts of knowing, time and space, being or existence, identity, cause and substance.
The two basic questions of metaphysics are: What is being, and what are its fundamental features and properties?
Epistemology is the theory of knowledge with questions such as: What is the nature of knowledge and what are its criteria, sources and limits? Though different in some aspects these branches of philosophy seem to dove tail in essence.
Is there an obligation to examine these questions and once we have explored, do they affect our behavior?
There is indeed an innate human need to ponder and respond to these questions because humanity has been given a precious gift of creative thought and free will.
Who am I? Why am I? What is the meaning of life and where did it come from? Increased knowledge only drives us further into the unfathomable void of questions.
Without seeking answers to these questions it is probable that the highest species on the planet will digress to the position of believing we exist only to fulfill the lust of life then die.
The animal kingdom moves, breathes, forages, reproduce and some even build but don’t progress beyond this point. The animal kingdom does not question who or what they are. There is no contemplation of being other than to fulfill basic instinct.
Man is capable of every characteristic of the animal kingdom but with the extraordinary ability to rise above mere instinct. We perceive and manipulate knowledge. Knowing and increasing in knowledge, we build on past generations in a way unprecedented by the animal kingdom.
We are the masters of our planet. We have taken knowledge and build shelters of glass, wood, metals and technology. Man has learned to heal through the application of medicine and learn through scientific discovery.
Yet in all of our knowledge, we have never created something from nothing, but merely learned to identify the mysterious laws of nature. We can’t make or change the order of these laws, but must work with them. Mankind is only discovering and manipulating what already exists.
Through the process of creative thought we have built tools and inventions to facilitate our thirst for understanding. We have mastered the elements, cloned life, manipulated genes, and nature itself. Yet we are no closer to the answer than when we first began.
Dissecting and discovering through our insatiable desire to know only leaves us with more questions than we can answer. Even the simple question: What is being, has not sufficiently been answered.
The plant and animal kingdom may know they exist but have no way to communicate this information. They fulfill their purpose and are satisfied to live and die.
Man understands they exist and have devised an alphabet enabling them to record self-expression and communication of knowledge. We have recorded history of our existence in books, art, and expressions of music.
We have learned the science of mathematics and harnessed the laws of physics. We have built pyramids and monuments to be remembered and chronicled gene mapping constantly seeking for immortalization.
We legislate and enforce laws upon each other. Knowledge gives us the authority to exercise dominion not only on our environment but upon each other. We regulate behavior and build governments. Our knowledge evokes action in moral, social and political avenues.
Our ideologies have become incubators for contempt and prejudice. Assertions and emulations have caused division and devastation across cultures.
We have taken our gift of self-will to estrange ourselves from the answers we seek, building lie upon lie and compounding our confusion until it has become a black hole pulling us into irrevocable destruction.
We as a species seek an explanation through metaphysical sciences and epistemological experimentation but fail to satisfy the spiritually empty soul.
There we have metaphysics and epistemology, two aspects of philosophy. Knowledge alone will never satisfy the soul of man. Our minds may be entertained but the soul longs for more.
As a species, we may find answers to metaphysics that are beyond our maturity to contain such as how many neutron bombs it will take to destroy the earth 10 times over or what strain of biological weaponry will wipe out the enemy.
Epistemology as Structural learning.com explains, “Is a cornerstone of philosophical inquiry probing the nature, origin, and limitations of knowledge. It delves into the intricate relationship between the mind and reality, exploring how we acquire, justify, and understand our beliefs about the world around us”.
Study.com explains epistemology as, “a child who lies about doing homework feels justified, because he feels it is right to avoid being punished by his parents. A notion is justified when a person has evidence to support his or her claim. This leads to the statement that any belief must be both true and justified.
The end justifies the means becomes a slippery slope off the foundation of absolutes or immutable truth, to acquit judgment or escape responsibility for our actions.
Only time will reveal if we have the capability to handle the knowledge we discover. Understanding the length, depth and breadth of knowledge may be contemplated and discussed as it has been for several millennium yet are we any closer to understanding knowledge?
We are only beginning to tap the surface of what is to be known. I read a newspaper article recently that scientists are pioneering a way to store knowledge into the DNA sequence that can be retrieved 50 years later intact.
The article went on to say that this science can store all the knowledge contained in the earth on a space the size of a fingerprint!
Metaphysics may well discover answers to the sciences. Mankind must be accountable for metaphysical discoveries and applications but as for epistemology, I believe the questions posed by this philosophy will never be satisfied without first acknowledging the immutable truths of our Creator.
The Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis1:1)
But now we are more educated than to believe such an archaic idea. We have risen above merely being the created sons of God. We have cast off perfection and chosen to become little gods.
New International Version
They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. (Romans 1:25)
The very purpose of this website is to help those who wish to deepen their relationship with Jesus.
The first step toward God is to understand that the Bible is the word of God. If you fail to have faith in his word, you will never know him.
“Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.” (Psalm 119:89-90)
The Bible is a letter written to man from God.
King James Bible
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)
We must accept the Word at face value and not attribute our own meaning to it.
“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation”. (2 Peter 1:20)
We must be willing to be transformed in our minds to escape the ideologies of this current world.
King James Bible
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)
Mankind has willfully walked away from truth because he chose not to retain God in his knowledge.
King James Bible
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: (Ephesians 4:18)
The path to a deeper relationship with Jesus is truly trusting him to lead you through the Bible.
Find a body of believers who adhere to the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. Read, rather than to listen to someone talk about the Bible.
Pray. God will not lead a hungry heart astray. Pray for truth!
Give God permission to change your mind. The pre-conceived ideas that are contrary to His Word must go!
Metaphysical and epistemological ideologies are worldly wisdom but God’s Word is wisdom from above.
Become a true disciple of Jesus. God created you to love and fellowship with you. He has wonderful plans for you. He is real and tangible. He will walk with you, guiding you, protecting you.
You will learn his voice and when you do, you will never be the same again!