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Single Idea 12120

[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 5. Metaphysics beyond Science ]

Full Idea

Physic inquireth and handleth the material and efficient causes; and metaphysic handleth the formal and final causes.

Clarification

'Physic' here is 'physics' (not 'medicine')

Gist of Idea

Physics is of material and efficient causes, metaphysics of formal and final causes

Source

Francis Bacon (The Advancement of Learning [1605], II.VII.3)

Book Ref

Bacon,Francis: 'Advancement of Learning/New Atlantis' [OUP 1966], p.109


A Reaction

Compare Idea 12119. This divides up Aristotle's famous Four Causes (or Explanations), outlined in 'Physics' II.3. The concept of 'matter', and the nature of 'cause' seem to me to fall with the purview of metaphysics. Interesting, though.

Related Idea

Idea 12119 Physics studies transitory matter; metaphysics what is abstracted and necessary [Bacon]


The 20 ideas with the same theme [metaphysics as transcending natural science]:

Physics studies transitory matter; metaphysics what is abstracted and necessary [Bacon]
Physics is of material and efficient causes, metaphysics of formal and final causes [Bacon]
Metaphysics is geometrical, resting on non-contradiction and sufficient reason [Leibniz]
We can grasp the wisdom of God a priori [Leibniz]
Kant showed that theoretical reason cannot give answers to speculative metaphysics [Kant, by Korsgaard]
A priori metaphysics is fond of basic unchanging entities like God, the soul, Forms, atoms… [Kant, by Fogelin]
A dove cutting through the air, might think it could fly better in airless space (which Plato attempted) [Kant]
Metaphysics goes beyond the empirical, so doesn't need examples [Kant]
Metaphysics is just a priori universal principles of physics [Kant]
Metaphysics studies the inexplicable ends of explanation [Schopenhauer]
Metaphysics is the science of both experience, and its general laws and types [Peirce]
Claims about 'the Absolute' are not even verifiable in principle [Ayer on Bradley]
Some say metaphysics is a highly generalised empirical study of objects [Tarski]
All metaphysical discussion should be guided by a quest for truthmakers [Armstrong]
Philosophy is a magnificent failure in its attempt to overstep the limits of our knowledge [McGinn]
Realist metaphysics concerns what is real; naive metaphysics concerns natures of things [Fine,K]
Only metaphysics can decide whether identity survives through change [Lowe]
Metaphysics tells us what there could be, rather than what there is [Lowe]
Esoteric metaphysics aims to be top science, investigating ultimate reality [Hofweber]
Metaphysics can criticise interpretations of science theories, and give good feedback [Ingthorsson]