General metaphysics

Metaphysics \Met`a*phys"ics\, n. [Gr. ? ? ? after those things
   which relate to external nature, after physics, fr. ? beyond,
   after + ? relating to external nature, natural, physical, fr.
   ? nature: cf. F. m['e]taphysique. See {Physics}. The term was
   first used by the followers of Aristotle as a name for that
   part of his writings which came after, or followed, the part
   which treated of physics.]
   1. The science of real as distinguished from phenomenal
      being; ontology; also, the science of being, with
      reference to its abstract and universal conditions, as
      distinguished from the science of determined or concrete
      being; the science of the conceptions and relations which
      are necessarily implied as true of every kind of being;
      philosophy in general; first principles, or the science of
      first principles.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Metaphysics is distinguished as general and special.
         {General metaphysics} is the science of all being as
         being. {Special metaphysics} is the science of one kind
         of being; as, the metaphysics of chemistry, of morals,
         or of politics. According to Kant, a systematic
         exposition of those notions and truths, the knowledge
         of which is altogether independent of experience, would
         constitute the science of metaphysics.
         [1913 Webster]

               Commonly, in the schools, called metaphysics, as
               being part of the philosophy of Aristotle, which
               hath that for title; but it is in another sense:
               for there it signifieth as much as "books written
               or placed after his natural philosophy." But the
               schools take them for "books of supernatural
               philosophy;" for the word metaphysic will bear
               both these senses.                 --Hobbes.
         [1913 Webster]

               Now the science conversant about all such
               inferences of unknown being from its known
               manifestations, is called ontology, or
               metaphysics proper.                --Sir W.
                                                  Hamilton.
         [1913 Webster]

               Metaphysics are [is] the science which determines
               what can and what can not be known of being, and
               the laws of being, a priori.       --Coleridge.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. Hence: The scientific knowledge of mental phenomena;
      mental philosophy; psychology.
      [1913 Webster]

            Metaphysics, in whatever latitude the term be taken,
            is a science or complement of sciences exclusively
            occupied with mind.                   --Sir W.
                                                  Hamilton.
      [1913 Webster]

            Whether, after all,
            A larger metaphysics might not help
            Our physics.                          --Mrs.
                                                  Browning.
      [1913 Webster]