What does metaphysics primarily study?

Metaphysics primarily studies the fundamental nature of reality, exploring concepts such as existence, being, substance, causality, and time. It seeks to understand what things are and why things exist by addressing questions beyond the physical sciences, delving into the nature of reality itself. This area of philosophy examines the underlying structures that form the basis of everything that is, including both tangible and intangible elements.

The focus on reality distinguishes metaphysics from other branches of philosophy. While ethics concerns moral principles guiding behavior, and human behavior is studied within psychology, metaphysics ascends to more foundational questions about existence itself, thus making it distinctively focused on reality and existence rather than specific human traits or ethical considerations. The methodology of scientific inquiry pertains more to the practices and techniques of empirical research and is not a subject within metaphysical study, emphasizing instead a more practical and applied approach rather than abstract speculation about nature and reality.