Big Ideas – Metaphysics

An exploration of the metaphysical world in search of wisdom and meaning.

This is an introductory paper aimed at establishing whether there is some interest from the U3A “Big Ideas” attendees (and anyone else) in participating in a second (parallel) series of discussions which will focus on one broad subject area (or one intellectual journey) for several months – that is ‘meaning in metaphysics’. The biggest questions mankind has asked have inevitably deferred to metaphysics for answers. We will call the group “Big Ideas – Metaphysics”.
I expect the sessions would be monthly at the same time and place as the current Big Ideas (i.e. at the Golf Club from 14.00 to 16.00) – but on the first Monday of the month rather than the third. The format would be very similar. Non-compulsory readings would be circulated before each session and these will form the background to the ideas being considered on the day. The big difference is that the topic will not radically change each month. This is an intellectual journey of discovery where each month’s discussion naturally follows from the previous one. However this does not mean attendees must commit to attending every session. I will endeavour to keep a live online summary going so that absent people can stay in touch. I will also be encouraging attendees with specialist expertise in any ideas we wish to investigate – to lead discussion on those ideas. This approach is an experiment – I have not seen it done anywhere. So it may need tweaking as we go.
Now to the topic.
The title gives a clear direction. But what is metaphysics? It’s tough to pin down – but here’s the definition we’ll be using to guide us:
“Metaphysics is concerned with any aspects of reality which cannot, in principle, be satisfactorily addressed by physics (i.e. science)”
What those aspects of reality are is a great source of contention in philosophy and in theology. A few deep thinkers have even claimed that metaphysical thinking is a complete waste of time. Many, on the other hand, have dedicated their lives trying to penetrate the metaphysical realm. Ludwig Wittgenstein, for example, said “we feel that even when all possible scientific problems have been answered, the problems of life have not been put to rest”. I agree with Wittgenstein. However what entities exist (if we can even use that word) in the metaphysical realm, and what they mean, is very ambiguous and murky.
What are these big questions which have typically been addressed in metaphysics? Here are a few:
• How do we know there is any reality beyond the physical world if we can’t directly detect or measure it?
• Why does the universe exist and what are we supposed to do in it?
• Is morality (i.e. ideas about right and wrong) an objective reality or just a cultural artefact?
• Is self-conscious life more than just an emergent property of biological matter conforming to fixed physical laws? Are humans just sophisticated machines?
• Do we humans possess genuine free will?
• Is there a God, or some other supreme being, or some ultimate ground of existence? If so what can we know and say about it?
• Is there any sort of existence beyond death?
• And many more…
My hope is that this journey will help each of us to clarify our own thinking and to settle some of our personal quandaries in this realm of thought. We will take as our guides a large cross section of reputable thinkers who have pondered metaphysics from the modern day, back through recorded history, to ancient sources in all the wisdom traditions. I’m not sure where it will take us, but I am pretty sure there are no straightforward ‘right’ answers to most questions in metaphysics.
Given what I have said so far, then, it seems clear that people who reject the possibility of a metaphysical realm, and people who have metaphysical commitments which they hold to with certainty, will probably find this journey a waste of time.🙂 If you are not one of these then you’re very welcome – and I trust you will not be wasting your time. Non-U3A members are free to attend the first couple of sessions before committing to membership. This paper has initially been circulated only to members of U3A Big Ideas – so if you have friends or acquaintances who you think may be interested please forward it to them.
Our first meeting will be an introductory session aimed at establishing which pathways our initial discussions should follow and to introduce some of the texts which will be our guides.
The first session date has yet to be set. I will email this out once we have a quorum of interested participants. Please would those keen to participate send me your email details at brianlimpopo@gmail.com – if you have not informed either U3A or me in person.
Brian Ness