1.
“Metaphysics of science is a
branch of philosophy that uses philosophical reasoning to analyse concepts in
the natural sciences, such as laws of
nature, causation, and space-time. And religious beliefs.”
“Perhaps in the context, I
may be disputed, but for this is my view: metaphysics has been linked to
demonic or immaterial spiritual entities. Perhaps influences of it as an
integral part of religious beliefs. While specifics may vary, the fundamental
concept of non-physical entities—I am referring to spirits, ghosts, and if they
exist, then angels and demons. These entities could interact with the physical
world.”
Gasps and murmurs were heard
from the audience. The speaker at the podium looked to the audience in the
Uni’s main hall.
“Let God’s thunder strike at
me if I agitated any of your views.”
A clash of noise
reverberated in the hall when a huge volume was dropped from the table onto the
floor. All eyes were on the one who caused the interference.
“I am sorry. It was
accidental.” The one who dropped the volume smiled.
“Lightning is a
manifestation of the weather.” One of the audience members called out. “We are
safe here under the roof.”
“There we have it. Mankind’s
creation had saved us, or rather myself, from God’s wrath… for now.” The
speaker smiled. “However, do take care when you step out in the open.”
The audiences laughed at the
statement.
“In metaphysics, there is an
understanding that we are impacted by the foundational aspects of reality, such
as causation, time, existence, identity, and the nature of God or the divine.
It brings us to the likes of revelation, as in the Book of Revelation; this
genre involves a "revelation" or "unveiling" of hidden
truths about the future and the end of the current world order, often mediated
by an otherworldly being, aka the demons.
“Metaphysics does profess
about predicting the future … an extreme situation of an end-time event to
examine fundamental truths, as a backdrop to explore ontological questions … a
quiz on the subject of what may be, and the judgment forth.”
“Metaphysics through
concepts; refers to the belief that reality is shaped by supernatural
forces and that an imminent, cosmic showdown will culminate in the end of the
world as we know it, a final judgment, and a new, transcendent reality. In my
view, metaphysical meaning encompasses a profound, predetermined shift in
existence brought about by forces beyond human control, often seen as a divine
revelation or a fundamental change in the rules of being.”
“Revoir! The end is here.”
One audience member stood up and shouted. The others joined in laughter.
“Do be seated, my esteemed
friend. God will allow me to finish my talk before we get the brimstone onto
us.” The speaker smiled. He shuddered then when he saw the elderly lady figure
held the adoring expression at him. He had met her earlier, and over the tea
session, he was introduced to the lady.
“I am Gertrude Miller,
maiden name. I am a reader of your thesis on metaphysics.” The slender lady in
her fifties held out her right hand to the doctor, who was invited to hold the
forum on the subject there.
“I am also in the class on
astrophysics.” The lady smiled. “I know it is rather late in my lifetime to be
learning the subject, but I am intrigued by the cosmology and beyond.”
“I am honoured, Mevrouw. You
are indeed admired for your learning attributes.” (Dutch for Madame). The
doctor had shaken her hand, which she held onto firmly during their
conversation.
“One is never too old,
pardon my expression, to be learning.” Ms. Miller smiled while her right thumb
rubbed at the knuckles of the doctor.
“However, my circle of
friends’ inability to hold a discussion on the subject which you are an expert
on.” Ms. Miller smiled on. “I am past the age to impress them with my gender
attributes. I much prefer to be coached by an expert.”
“Me? An expert? I will not
call myself that. I am, however, an ardent learner at best.” The doctor smiled
while trying to pry his hand back, but she held firm.
“Did you know that
astrophysics emerged as a distinct, empirically driven scientific field,
while metaphysics continued as a branch of philosophy focused on the
fundamental nature of reality, with little direct overlap between the two
domains?” Ms. Miller laughed. “A cohesion of the two will be impactful.”
“I am sure.” The doctor
smiled.
“Oh, I am intrigued. That is
why I am here today. We could explore that cohesion more.” Ms. Miller smiled.
“A more detailed exploration, perhaps.”
“Yes, we should.” The doctor
continued smiling and then saw the cue by the Uni’s staff for him to start his
talk. He excused himself and managed to retrieve back his hand. Soon, he was at
the podium to deliver his findings to the gathered. He took in the gathered
audience and introduced the subject of metaphysics.
“In conclusion, metaphysical
science as a discipline encompasses a wide range of topics
like astrology, karma, and spiritual healing, with a
focus on personal development, consciousness, and spiritual truth.” The speaker
averted his stare to the others. He was applauded by them, and then there was
an interruption by one of the audience members.
“Surely, it has nothing to
do with religion. I find your topic speculative, especially on the matter of
apocalyptic.” A member of the audience dressed conservatively interjected. “I
am a skeptic of the idea. For myself, these claims are seen as untestable,
unverifiable, and often meaningless. Your findings are …… Well, you deal with
concepts beyond the physical world.”
The others there murmured
their irritation at the interference.
“Claude Menier, if you are
not keen to listen, then leave the hall now.” The ardent supporter of the
subject matter voiced out. It was the lady named Ms. Miller who spoke.
“I am here to listen to
Doctor Helsing. Pray let us have our hour with him in peace.”
“Hold your prayers in the
chapel, Ms. Miller.” The one named Claude Menier glared at the lady. “This is
the establishment of learning where everyone can lay their views on the matter
in discussion.”
“Members of the audience.
May I bring back your focus on my subject, please?” Doctor Abraham Helsing, a
renowned academic on the subject, held up his arms.
“May I address your query,
dear Sir? I accept the views of critics who argued that metaphysical statements
often fail the standard of falsifiability, meaning ……. We cannot prove it… It
is theoretically debated by many, but we were also never proven wrong…
entirely, though some may have said we rely on flawed methods of abstract
reasoning or are based on questionable assumptions.”
“I may argue that God’s
existence was based on those arguments too.” That tone of contempt drew gasps
from the audience, most notably the elderly ones. The younger audience,
however, clapped their approval on that.
“However, metaphysics, well…
seeks to understand reality through logical reasoning and often incorporates
scientific findings, while religion typically relies on faith, revelation, and
tradition to explore spiritual truths. Both can overlap, as religious beliefs
often contain metaphysical assumptions, and scientific inquiry can be
influenced by metaphysical ideas. With that, I will end my presentation.”
Doctor Helsing concluded the talk.
“Thank you, Doctor Helsing.”
The moderator stepped up to the podium, while two aides escorted the doctor to
the rear exit, avoiding the crowd approaching him. He swiftly took his steps
towards the office of the Dean. It was not his first quick exit strategy, for
he seems to draw the attention at other venues too.
“Oh, Doctor Helsing.” Ms.
Miller rushed at him and hugged him in the corridor. “Menier Claude is a
brute.”
The doctor was startled by
her action, and one of the aides managed to pry her off the doctor. He
apologized to the lady and took to his sanctuary at the Dean’s office.
“You do take the narrow
ledge at the cliff.” The dean soon arrived at the office. “I had to placate
some of them profusely there. Menier Claude is a visiting associate on theology
from the Hamburg Uni’s.”
“The discovery of learning
is best done at the narrow ledge. Do I get across or fall in the abyss…? Well,
if I do, then I may learn a new experience.” Doctor Helsing smiled. “Pardon me.
I needed a drink and took the liberty of your fine whiskey. Brandy is in low
supply now in Europe.”
It was during then when the
French brandy industry was devastated by
the phylloxera pest that ruined much of the grape crop; as a result,
whisky became the primary liquor in many markets. The whiskey was the next
available, then.
“Too much of anything is
bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” The dean poured himself a
glass. The doctor raised the glass that he had poured a generous amount into
then.
“To Metaphysics.” Both men
cheered.
“Whiskey… you may be aware
of this as the Dean of Medical History. Whisky was revered for its supposed
medicinal properties. It was believed to cure various ailments, prolong
life, and even repel malevolent spirits. Tales of its potency spread, with some
households keeping a bottle as both a remedy and a protective talisman.
“I will attest to that.” The
dean laughed. Both men finished their drink, and then the guest took his leave
of the Dean’s office but he stopped at the doorway.
“Dean, I am …… I did take
the liberty of exploring the Uni’s ground. I am fascinated by the Menhirs that
you had lined up like a circle in the yard outside the Science Centre.” The
doctor smiled. “A unique design……. Was it to rival Stonehenge there?”
“Metaphysically referred,
Stonehenge is not linked to the art creation there.” The Dean smiled. “However,
Stonehenge myths ……. frequently attribute the monument's creation to
magical or supernatural forces.”
“By the fabled Merlin; a
witch or wizard you may framed him.” The doctor smiled. “The legend says he transported
the stones from Ireland. Or was it the giants that built the structure?”
“Devil may had created the …….
The Heel Stone as it was called.” The Dean laughed. “Devilish there, like our
Archilles Heel.”
“That’s witchery talk, dear
Sir.” The doctor laughed. “But I must be on my way now.”
The dean watched the figure
walk the corridor to the open yard of the University, and from there, he will
reach the eastern gate of the university, missing the Menhirs mentioned.
“May God invoke his wrath
upon you. Or the Devil takes your soul.” The Dean was still looking at the man
who was taking great strides across the Uni’s ground. “Doctor Abraham Helsing,
you are truly in the right place at the wrong time. Make your journey here on
the narrow ledge abode well, Doctor.”
The doctor was a man of
medium height and slender build, with his shoulders set back over a broad, deep
chest. He held the poise of great thoughts and power. The face was
clean-shaven’ displaying the square chin, with the thick sideburns that reached
down his cheeks, complementing the receding hairline at the forehead of reddish
hair that was swept to the rear. He reached for the piece of paper that was
slipped into his left jacket pocket. He looked at it and smiled.
“12 Stoner Street. One
hour.”
Cohesion, indeed.
The doctor smiled. He was
not particular on his choices of lady by age, but the major attributes of
physical beauty do matter. Arguably, he may lack in the specifics of vitality,
but the whiskey does its task to bring the vitality back to the body. With it,
he felt as if he was in his teens; age fifteen was his emergence then.
