title: Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction (Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy)
author:  Michael J. Loux 
description: "Loux has done a masterful job in laying out arguments and positions in some detail without getting over technical." -- <i>Mark Timmons, Memphis State University</i>
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  \Dear Friend:
  In last month’s letter l defined philosophy as 
  the science of essential wisdom and briefly outlined 
  its seven parts. METAPHYSICS is the first branch 
  of philosophy and therefore our lesson for this 
  month will be devoted to Metaphysics.
  The term Metaphysics is derived from two Greek 
  words meaning “after physics’, ’ or “beyond those 
  things which pertain to external nature.’’ The gen­
  erally accepted definitions of the term are derived 
  from Aristotle, the first author to prepare a lengthy 
  treatise under this name. Aristotle uses the term 
  METAPHYSICS at one time as synonymous with 
  wisdom and at another time as synonymous with 
  theology. He also calls it the "first philosophy.”
  June 1, 1934
  Broadly speaking, existence is divisible into two 
  primary states, which Albertus Magnus termed 
  “physical and transphysical.” The stud