Word: metaphysical (adjective)

Associations

The word "metaphysical" relates to metaphysics, a branch of philosophy that studies things beyond the physical world, like existence, reality, and the nature of being.

• In philosophy, "metaphysical questions" ask about the nature of reality, such as "What is existence?"
• You can say "a metaphysical poem" to describe poetry that explores deep, abstract ideas beyond everyday life.
• "Metaphysical beliefs" refer to ideas about things that can't be seen or measured, like the soul or fate. A similar word is "spiritual," but "metaphysical" is broader and more philosophical, while "spiritual" usually relates to religion or personal faith.

Substitution

Instead of "metaphysical," you might use:

• "Philosophical" — but this is more general and not always about the supernatural or abstract reality.
• "Abstract" — focuses on ideas not concrete things, but less about existence or reality.
• "Spiritual" — relates more to religion or soul, less to philosophy. Changing the word changes the focus from deep philosophical ideas to either general thinking or religious feelings.

Deconstruction

"Metaphysical" comes from the Greek words:

• "meta-" meaning "beyond" or "after"
• "physical" meaning "relating to the body or material things" Together, "metaphysical" means "beyond the physical," referring to things that go beyond what we can see or touch. The term was first used in philosophy to describe topics beyond physics (nature and matter).

Inquiry

• What kinds of questions or topics do you think are metaphysical?
• Can you think of a situation where someone might talk about metaphysical ideas in everyday life?
• How do metaphysical ideas differ from scientific ideas in your opinion?