Metaphysical
/ˌmetəˈfɪzɪkəl/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Metaphysical refers to subjects or ideas that go beyond what we can see or touch in the physical world. It deals with deep questions about life, existence, and reality that cannot be answered by science alone but are explored through thinking and philosophy.
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See It in Action
Related to philosophy about existence and reality beyond the physical world
- •The philosopher wrote a book about metaphysical questions of life and death.
- •Metaphysical poetry often explores themes of love and existence beyond the body.
- •Many cultures have metaphysical beliefs about the soul and afterlife.
Describing something abstract or not physical
- •The movie had a metaphysical theme, making people think about the meaning of reality.
- •She was interested in metaphysical ideas rather than practical, everyday problems.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "metaphysical" like "deep thinking," but about things you cannot touch or see, such as life or the soul.
- ✓Picture someone looking up at the stars and wondering what life really means, beyond what is visible.
- ✓It's the feeling when you ask questions like "Why am I here?" or "What is real?"—big, thoughtful questions.
- ✓Sounds like "meta-FIZ-i-cal" → imagine a magic book (meta) that explains the hidden (physical) secrets of the world.
- ✓In stories, metaphysical ideas appear when characters think about life’s meaning or the spirit world.
- ✓NOT like "physical" (things you can touch or see), metaphysical is about what is invisible or beyond the body.
- ✓NOT like "scientific" (based on experiments), metaphysical is based on ideas and thinking, not tests or data.
Try Other Words
- •Philosophical: related to ideas about life and existence (Use when focusing on thinking or ideas about life but less about the invisible or spiritual side)
- •Spiritual: related to the soul or spirit (Use when talking about beliefs about the soul or religion)
- •Abstract: not concrete or physical, general ideas (Use when the idea is not physical but not necessarily about existence or being)
Unboxing
- •Prefix "meta-" means "beyond" or "after"
- •Root "physical" relates to the body or things you can see and touch
- •Combined, "metaphysical" means "beyond the physical" or "beyond what is seen"
- •Originates from Greek philosophy, where "metaphysics" was a study of reality beyond nature
- •Today, used in philosophy, poetry, and discussions about existence and reality that science cannot explain
Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of questions do you think are metaphysical, and why do they interest people?
•How do metaphysical ideas influence the way people understand life and the world around them?
Fill in the blanks
1.Metaphysical questions often ask about things ___ science cannot measure or see.
2.When someone talks about the soul or spirit, they are discussing ___ ideas.
3.Unlike physical objects, metaphysical concepts are ___ and cannot be touched.
4.Philosophers spend time exploring metaphysical problems about ___ and existence.
5.A story with metaphysical themes might make you think about ___ beyond everyday life.
6.Metaphysical ideas are different from scientific facts because they rely on ___ rather than experiments.
7.Some poems are called metaphysical because they explore ___ ideas about love and life.