Elements of Metaphysics

A. E. Taylor

Summary

It is always difficult, in treating of any branch of knowledge, to put before the beginner a correct preliminary notion of the nature and scope of the study to which he is to be introduced, but the difficulty is exceptionally great in the case of the body of investigations traditionally known as Metaphysics. The questions which the science seeks to answer are, indeed, in principle of the simplest and most familiar kind, but it is their very simplicity and familiarity which constitute the chief difficulty of the subject. We are naturally slow to admit that there is anything we do not understand in terms and ideas which we are constantly using, not only in the special sciences, but in our non-systematised everyday thought and language about the course of the world. Hence, when the metaphysician begins to ask troublesome questions about the meaning and validity of these common and familiar notions, ordinary practical men, and even intelligent students of the special sciences, are apt to complain that he is wasting his time by raising idle and uncalled-for difficulties about the self-evident. Consequently the writer on Metaphysics is almost inevitably compelled to begin by rebutting the natural and current prejudice which regards his science as non-existent and its problems as illusory. The full vindication of metaphysical inquiry from this charge of futility can only be furnished by such a systematic examination of the actual problems of the study as will be attempted, in outline, in the succeeding chapters of this work. All that can be done in an Introduction is to present such a general description of the kind of questions to be subsequently discussed, and their relation to the more special problems of the various sciences, as may incline the reader to give an impartial hearing to what is to follow.

Available since: 11/02/2023.

Other books that might interest you

The Poetry of Strangers - What I...

Anonymous

It might surprise you who’s a fan of poetry — when it meets them where they are.
Before he became an award-winning writer and poet, Brian Sonia-Wallace set up a typewriter on the street with a sign that said “Poetry Store” and discovered something surprising: all over America, people want poems. An amateur busker at first, Brian asked countless strangers, “What do you need a poem about?” To his surprise, passersby opened up to share their deepest yearnings, loves, and heartbreaks. Hundreds of them. Then thousands. Around the nation, Brian’s poetry crusade drew countless converts from all walks of life.
In The Poetry of Strangers, Brian tells the story of his cross-country journey in a series of heartfelt and insightful essays. From Minnesota to Tennessee, California to North Dakota, Brian discovered that people aren’t so afraid of poetry when it’s telling their stories. In “dying” towns flourish vibrant artistic spirits and fascinating American characters who often pass under the radar, from the Mall of America’s mall walkers to retirees on Amtrak to self-proclaimed witches in Salem.
In a time of unprecedented loneliness and isolation, Brian’s journey shows how art can be a vital bridge to community in surprising places. Conventional wisdom says Americans don’t want to talk to each other, but according to this poet-for-hire, everyone is just dying to be heard.
Thought-provoking, moving, and eye-opening, The Poetry of Strangers is an unforgettable portrait of America told through the hidden longings of one person at a time, by one of our most important voices today. The fault lines and conflicts which divide us fall away when we remember to look, in every stranger, for poetry.

Show book

Reclaiming Our Democracy - Every...

Sam Daley-Harris

Almost everyone shies away from advocacy as a way to make a difference. We donate to climate change organizations, but we don’t meet with a member of Congress or write a letter to the editor. We donate to groups working to end gun violence, anti-hunger organizations, groups dedicated to racial justice, and many others, but we don’t become advocates on those issues beyond signing an online petition or going to an occasional rally.   
	Why? Because most of us see advocacy as too hard or too frustrating, too complicated, or too partisan, too dirty or too time-consuming, too ineffective or too costly. 
	But what if that’s all wrong? What if deep engagement dissolves discouragement and can actually bring joy? What if you can become an advocate for a cause you care about and feel fulfilled, not frustrated? And what if engaging as an advocate is essential to protecting our democracy? 
	President Jimmy Carter called the first edition of Reclaiming Our Democracy “A road map for global involvement in planning a better future.” In this completely revised and updated 2024 edition, Sam Daley-Harris uses his decades of experience leading and coaching citizens’ advocacy groups to expand that road map and create an indispensable guide to engaged citizenship, an inspiring master class in transformational advocacy. 
	Reclaiming Our Democracy provides a powerful way to make a difference and heal our democracy in the process. It’s not the only solution needed, but is one essential, missing piece: citizens awakening to their power.

Show book

Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

Two hearts fall in love. A feud stands in their way. Fate refuses to be merciful.
In the heat of Verona, Romeo and Juliet meet, love fiercely, and dare to hope in a world determined to keep them apart. Their secret passion collides with family hatred, impulsive choices, and cruel misunderstandings—driving the lovers toward a tragic end that has echoed through centuries of storytelling.

Hailed as "the greatest love story ever told," Shakespeare's play blends lyrical beauty with raw emotion, exploring love, youth, violence, and the power of destiny. Its lines are unforgettable, its emotions universal, its impact timeless.

If you cherish passionate romance, poetic language, and stories that break the heart while illuminating it, this immortal classic belongs in your collection.

Open the book—and experience a love that burns brighter than life itself.

Show book

The Big Change - America...

Frederick Lewis Allen

During the first fifty years of the twentieth century, the United States saw two world wars, a devastating economic depression, and more social, political, and economic changes than in any other five-decade period before. Frederick Lewis Allen, former editor of Harper's Magazine, recounts these years—spanning World War I, the Progressive Era, the Great Depression, World War II, and the early Cold War—in vivid detail, from the fashions and customs of the times to major events that changed the course of history. 
 
 
  
Politically, the United States grew into its own as a global superpower during these years, even as domestic developments altered the everyday lives of its citizens. The introduction of the automobile, mass production, and organized labor changed the way Americans lived and worked, while innovations like penicillin and government regulation of food safety contributed to an increase in average life expectancy from forty-nine years in 1900 to sixty-eight years in 1950. With the development of a strong, centralized government, a thriving middle class, and widespread economic prosperity, the nation emerged from the Second World War transformed in virtually every way. 
 
 
  
Richly informative, The Big Change is an indispensable volume charting the many changes that ushered in our contemporary age.

Show book

Finding Focus in ADHD - Four...

Deepak Bhosle

Finding Focus in ADHD: Four Guided Meditations
Finding Focus in ADHD: Four Guided Meditations is a book written by transcendental arts expert, Deepak Bhosle, that provides people with ADHD four guided meditations to increase focus and attention skills. The meditations are easy to follow and can be done in just a few minutes a day (they range from 5 to 15 minutes).
The benefit of guided meditations
Meditation is an excellent way to focus and calm the mind. It has many benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep and increasing productivity. While it's easy to get started with meditation on your own, guided meditations can be a great way to increase the effectiveness of your practice. Guided meditations can help you stay focused and connected to your breath, which can make it easier to achieve a state of mindfulness.
Gradually increase your practice
In this audiobook, we bring you four guided meditations to help improve your focus and attention, designed specifically for people with ADHD. The best way to do this is to start off with a daily practice of the shorter meditations (5 minutes), and gradually over the course of 4-8 weeks, begin a daily practice of the longer meditations (10-15 minutes). We have included some bonus activities in some of the guided meditations, and you will benefit from incorporating these into your daily practice, especially from the 4 weeks+ mark.
About Deepak
Deepak Bhosle is a life coach with over 5 years of experience helping people achieve their goals and live their best lives. He is also trained in history, with a focus on the transcendental arts of south Asia, and he specialises in how to use theta and gamma rays to boost mood and improve overall well-being.

Show book

Smash Hit - Race Crime and...

David Curcio

David Curcio’s SMASH HIT: RACE, CRIME, AND CULTURE IN BOXING FILMS joins Armin Lear Press’ titles exploring the way key social issues surface in the arts.      Cinema emerged alongside the rules that ushered in boxing’s modern age and the “squared circle” proved the ideal stage for cinematic display. The public had its first taste of the new medium in 1894 through a heavyweight bout, recognized today as the world’s first feature film.     As the two attractions fast-grew into the country’s most popular entertainments, nascent Hollywood studios were quick to spot an opening for a surefire combo. Like a snap-jab to the teeth, the boxing film emerged as a popular genre wherein the fighter assumed his place among the private dicks, rebel cops, and desperate underdogs mired in America’s expanding urban landscape.     Devoting equal time to both mediums, SMASH HIT: RACE, CRIME, AND CULTURE IN BOXING FILMS uses twenty films as the basis of a hard-nosed exploration as to how the genre held a bloody mirror to twentieth century America’s most prominent social anxieties, elucidating two conjoined mediums that serve as bellwether to an ever-shifting cultural zeitgeist.     “David Curcio’s Smash Hit is a first-round knockout filled with strong writing and deep insight.”-Bob Batchelor, author of Roadhouse Blues: Morrison, the Doors, and the Death Days of the Sixties and Stan Lee: A Life     "David Curcio's absorbing, fascinating book sent me down a rabbit hole of so many memorable movies....and Smash Hit belongs in the company of the best of them."-Donald McRae, The Guardian     "Smash Hit is not about the sport of boxing so much as a view of American society in the context of boxing culture, film history, and Hollywood gossip. An entertaining, informative, lively read.”-Glen Sharp, author of Punching in the Shadows

Show book