
On the Metaphysical
The term Metaphysics first appeared in the 1560s meaning "branch of speculation which deals with the first causes of things". It was derived from the Greek title of the 13 treatises which traditionally were arranged after those on physics and natural sciences in Aristotle's writings. In our own century, the Reverend John Polkinghorne, one of the greatest living writers on science and religion, has been quoted as saying: 'It would be intellectually lazy not to ask what happene