The Metaphysic or Metaphysics is a canonical collection of various writings by Aristotle which were collected and featured in the order they now appear, although there are historical-critical debates about whether this was the originally intended format for the works, whether this was the original arrangement of them and perhaps most concerning, whether Aristotle is even the author of the work in its entirety or at all. But, although academic debate continues on the issues, the important fact of the matter is that the arrangement that we now have is historically important in the bedrock of Western thought, and the work is historically attributed to Aristotle.
After the fall of Greece, many writings were confiscated or burned and many were re-discovered by Islamic nations who translated them and reintroduced them to the Western world after many years when Aristotle was not readily available. Since many works that were available in the West referred to Aristotle's writings as authoritative and helpful, the reintroduction of Metaphysics and many others spurred a philosophical revolution that laid the foundation for the French Renaissance.
The work is offered as a collection of related arguments thematically centered around the "first philosophy," which is the philosophy governing truths that were not physical or natural. The natural sciences were discussed by Aristotle as the "second philosophy." Aristotle's understanding is often contrasted with that of Plato, whose philosophy is generally governed by his belief in transcendental forms which were the basis for the existence of the physical world.
Aristotle by contrast concedes that the metaphysical world is real and important, but philosophy ought not to be governed by hypotheses about metaphysical truths, but rather through inference based on observable truths. This doesn't render his philosophy naturalistic, but it does change his conclusions in an important schematic way. Aristotle is considered a forefather of philosophy and remains authoritative in syllogistic philosophy despite having written thousands of years ago.
How Aristotle ordered the Metaphysics has been the subject of much debate, as some of the works contained in the Metaphysics are thought to have been written by other authors, while some are thought to have been written by Aristotle himself. Nonetheless, the works contained in Metaphysics are historically important and have influenced philosophers of every era since their introduction in the Western world. The works contained in Metaphysics are often divided into two main categories - the first being metaphysical truths, and the second being physical or natural truths. The first category is concerned with truths that are not physical or natural, while the second category deals with physical and natural truths.
Aristotle's metaphysical truths are often contrasted with the beliefs of Plato, who argued that metaphysical truths were based on transcendental forms. Aristotle, on the other hand, argued that metaphysical truths should be inferred from observable truths. This does not mean that Aristotle's philosophy is entirely naturalistic, but it does alter the conclusions he comes to importance.
Despite having written thousands of years ago, Aristotle's philosophical works remain influential and authoritative even today. He is viewed as a forefather of philosophy, and his works have influenced and shaped the philosophical views of many thinkers since his day. His writings continue to be studied and analyzed in universities and academic institutions around the world, and his influence is still very much apparent in modern philosophical thought.
