Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that explores the fundamental nature of reality, addressing the most profound questions about existence, the nature of objects, time, space, causality, and the universe itself. As one of the oldest areas of philosophical inquiry, metaphysics seeks to answer questions that lie at the core of our understanding of the world and our place within it. The term "metaphysics" derives from the Greek words "meta" (beyond) and "physika" (the physical), reflecting the idea of examining that which transcends the physical world and investigates the very structure of reality.

At its core, metaphysics asks: What is there? What is it like? How do things exist, and what is the nature of their existence? These questions are timeless, and their answers have evolved over centuries, often influencing or being influenced by developments in other branches of philosophy, science, and theology. In examining the nature of reality, metaphysicians delve into topics like the nature of objects and their properties, the concept of identity and change, the structure of time and space, and the possibility of alternate realities.

The scope of metaphysical inquiry is vast. One of the primary areas it addresses is ontology, which concerns the study of being and existence. Ontological questions include inquiries into the types of entities that exist, whether abstract entities (like numbers or concepts) exist independently of human thought, and whether the universe is fundamentally composed of matter or something more fundamental, like energy or consciousness.