metaphysical
Concerning ultimate reality
Metaphysical concerns what lies beyond the physical world—questions about existence, reality, being, and the nature of things.
In philosophy, metaphysics asks whether free will exists, what time is, or how mind relates to matter.
More loosely, metaphysical describes anything abstract, spiritual, or concerned with ultimate questions: Her interests turned metaphysical after the accident.
The metaphysical poets of the 17th century used elaborate conceits to explore love and spirituality.
One claiming supernatural perception
- clairvoyanceExtrasensory perception ability
- telepathyDirect mental communication
- ESPParanormal mental faculty
- channelingDirecting flow or energy
apparitions · poltergeist · astral · aura · medium · parapsychology · precognition · séance
Existing as something
- existenceState of being real
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- realityWhat actually exists
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
substance · entity · identity · quiddity · particularity · thingness · categorization · archetype
Philosophy of opposed pairs
- monismSingle-substance metaphysics
- idealismBelief in noble principles
- materialismPrioritizing goods over spirit
- realismAccepting things as they are
phenomenology · rationalism · empiricism · determinism · solipsism · nominalism · essentialism · relativism
Innermost animating essence
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
- divinitySacred nature or nougat-like sweet
- karmaSpiritual cause and effect
- dharmaCosmic moral order
enlightenment · reincarnation · nirvana · moksha · prana · atman · chi · theism
Not made of matter
- nonphysicalNot of matter
- intangibleNot physically present
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- insubstantialLacking physical or material substance
abstract · imperceptible · unseen · formless · bodiless · disembodied · weightless · impalpable
What something signifies
- purposeReason something exists
- existenceState of being real
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- selfOne's own being
authenticity · angst · finitude · absurdity · alienation · nihilism · void · solitude
psychic
One claiming supernatural perception
- clairvoyanceExtrasensory perception ability
- telepathyDirect mental communication
- ESPParanormal mental faculty
channeling · apparitions · poltergeist · astral · aura · medium · parapsychology · precognition · séance · ectoplasm
being
Existing as something
ontology · substance · entity · identity · quiddity · particularity · thingness · categorization · archetype · phenomena
dualism
Philosophy of opposed pairs
- monismSingle-substance metaphysics
- idealismBelief in noble principles
- materialismPrioritizing goods over spirit
realism · phenomenology · rationalism · empiricism · determinism · solipsism · nominalism · essentialism · relativism · pluralism
soul
Innermost animating essence
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
- divinitySacred nature or nougat-like sweet
- karmaSpiritual cause and effect
dharma · enlightenment · reincarnation · nirvana · moksha · prana · atman · chi · theism · pantheism
incorporeal
Not made of matter
- nonphysicalNot of matter
- intangibleNot physically present
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
insubstantial · abstract · imperceptible · unseen · formless · bodiless · disembodied · weightless · impalpable · unmanifest
meaning
What something signifies
- purposeReason something exists
- existenceState of being real
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
self · authenticity · angst · finitude · absurdity · alienation · nihilism · void · solitude · freedom
- Mysticalethereal, otherworldly, supernatural, numinous, transcendent
- philosophical termsSocratic, Kantian, Cartesian, Aristotelian, dialectical
- afterlifeheaven, hell, paradise, purgatory, limbo
- literary termsmetaphor, character analysis, symbolism, prologue, epilogue
- occultwitchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, black magic, tarot
- Elizabethan eraShakespeare, Tudor era, Elizabethan, sonnet, sonnets
metaphysicalphysical
Of body or matter
material · concrete · corporeal · tangible · substantial
metaphysicalempirical
Based on observation, not theory
scientific · observable · evidence-based · experimental · measurable
metaphysicalperceptible
Able to be sensed
sensible · tangible · palpable · discernible · detectable
- metaphysical poetryVerse blending intellect and emotion