Metaphysics is the study of the most general features of reality.
“Apparently, there is a 50-50 chance that we live in a simulated world. What does philosophy make of this possibility?” Thank you, Wynn P Wheldon. Actually, this question has been central to philosophy for a very long time now, and, as usual, there is no simple answer to it. It raises attached questions, such as: […]
What if it’s all just a simulation? Read More
If we do, how do we actually determine that the self exists? Thank you, Danica Aposaga, for such a fundamental question. First, if I may, I think it would be helpful to reverse the questions: how do we actually determine that the self exists, and, if it does exist, will we ever understand it? After
Will we ever understand the self? Read More
Thank you for this fundamental question, Sabir Khan. It is however a loaded question, that is, it rests on at least two problematic assumptions: first, that the soul exists and, second, that it is located at all. We will have to look at both in order to tackle your question. Whether it is plausible to
Where is the human soul located? Read More
Thank you, Will McMahon, for a timeless question. It was Harry Truman who famously demanded someone find him an economist with only one hand. The problem: Truman was fed up with wishy-washy inconclusive answers; he didn’t want an economist to represent both sides of the argument with equal weight. No. He wanted clear-cut, practical advice
Is permanence an illusion? Read More
If someone – Ben, say – was suddenly evaporated and replaced with an indistinguishable replica, did Ben die? What about if Ben was aware of his death? If Ben was gradually transformed by genetic and behavioural modifications into someone else – James, say – and the transformation happened so slowly that at no point did
Some questions about death Read More
Thank you, Gum Makur Gum, for such a perennial question! What does it mean to exist? Until Kant, many philosophers thought that existence was a property of a substance, much like color, weight, mass, etc. Saying that “This flower is red” was similar to saying that “This flower exists”, meaning that the flower had the
Where can one start at a basic level and then continue to develop understanding and love for the subject? Thank you, Nazzarene Zen, for such a heuristic question. In one sense, I cannot answer the question, because “difficult to comprehend” is very personal, as is the development of love. But I will offer some general
Why is metaphysics so difficult to comprehend? Read More
Thank you, Jm Reyes, for such a pragmatic question. Although the answer may seem trivial at first glance, it leads us deep into the realm of philosophy and modality. The simplest answer to your question is no – at least, that’s what your parents, friends and travel agents would tell you. And the reason is
Is it possible to travel in japan if you are a student and don’t have enough money? Read More
Thank you, Arjun Sambhi, for such a head-scratcher. Ah, a very old question, in fact one of the oldest in the discipline of philosophy; and like all old questions, it is still with us, and rightly so. I will lay my cards on the table: I am a pretty committed disciple of Parmenides – the
Is nothing something? Read More
Thank you, Ela Özcan, for such a mind-boggling question. In my first Armchair Opinion, I said that whenever wondering whether something is possible, a good place to start is with experience; for if it has ever manifested in experience, then of course it must be possible. I stand by this principle. So, when wondering whether
Can you die in a dream? Read More
