Was there a Metaphysics section under Philosophy? Should it be under Paranormal Phenomena?

Question

A couple people suggested Metaphysics questions should be directed to the Philosophy section. Was there ever a sub-section for Metaphysics there?

I'd like to see "Metaphysics" as a sub-section under Paranormal Phenomena. This way the more "out-there" and conjectural subjects wouldn't have to disturb the empirisists so much. What do you think?

Answer 1

Metaphysics is a philosophy. Maybe they should make a section for metaphysics with 2 sub sections, one for philosophy and one for paranormal.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/metaph...

http://atheism.about.com/od/philosophybr...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysics

Answer 2

I would love to see a metaphysics section. Then put all of the paranormal sibjects in metaphysics section.

I think the metaphysics section should be in the society and culture instead of here in Science and Mathmatics.

Answer 3

Metaphysics in philosophy has nothing to do with the "out there" paranormal phenomena. That is unfortunately a mistake in the way metaphysical is used. It has a specific definition within philosophy that has nothing to do with the popular way that it is used.

Answer 4

"Was there a Metaphysics section under Philosophy?"

That is extremely unlikely, as metaphysics is a major branch of philosophy. Chances are that the one responsible for making the section headings assumed that having a philosophy section would be enough.

Here is a definition of metaphysics from dictionary.com:

"the branch of philosophy that treats of first principles, includes ontology and cosmology, and is intimately connected with epistemology."

If I remember correctly from my philosophy 101 course, ontology, cosmology, and epistemology are essential to the foundations of philosophy. Looking up their definitions (just now) merely deepened that realization.



"Should it be under Paranormal Phenomena?"

No. Although philosophy is not as popular as most major religions, it is still more popular and respected than the paranormal. Putting a metaphysics section under paranormal phenomena would confuse some people and weaken the respect for both fields in general.

"I'd like to see 'Metaphysics' as a sub-section under Paranormal Phenomena. This way the more 'out-there' and conjectural subjects wouldn't have to disturb the empirisists so much. What do you think?"

Well, I see where you are coming from, but it is a simple conflict of definitions that we are dealing with here. Please allow me to elaborate:

Metaphysics mostly deals with the origins, structure, "laws", and meaning of life and the universe.

The paranormal mostly deals with phenomena that cannot (adequately) be explained with the implementation of scientific reasoning.

The two do not fit that well together. It is true that neither can really be backed up scientifically, but both strive to explain different concepts and have different purposes in all levels of society and human thought.

It is true that less physically-based philosophies do bother empiricists, but they need to learn to accept their differences and put a sock in it. Putting metaphysics would stop most of the dissension between those two groups on Y!A, but it would cause other conflicts in that its inclusion under the paranormal would not be welcomed by everyone.

If it makes you feel better, I'll have you know that my philosophy 101 professor had some rather bizarre beliefs (which he considered to be "self-evident" truths) that could not be backed up with science, yet would not be described by anyone to be paranormal in any way. It was basically just his own twisted form of theism.

Would you classify religions as paranormal?

I hope not XD. You'd have a lot of angry mobs going after you.

Well, I hope that my answer made sense.

Answer 5

I'd like to see one as well.