Preys & Predators IV; Monster and Witches Chapter 1

 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.