I started the research for this book to find answers for myself about why, so often in the philosophical literature, one finds identification of metaphysics with ontology as opposed to a clear distinction between the two. Being educated in classical metaphysics (Catholic University of Lublin, Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies), I felt that something was wrong with this, but I was not sure what. To find clarity, I decided to check the origins of the terms ‘metaphysics’ and ‘ontology.’ The results of my research convinced me that metaphysics and ontology have different objects, because they apply different methods to know their object. Moreover, since both disciplines are fundamental for any system of philosophy and for any philosophical discipline, I realized that I needed to write a serious monograph based upon basic sources in their original languages.
This volume was first published in Polish as Metafizyka czy ontologia? (2011). The current English translation, done by Hugh McDonald, has been only slightly modified in form to comply with publisher house style. As well, English translations for all passages in foreign languages has been offered, and bibliographic references have been updated and expanded in some cases.
The structure of the book is simple. In the first part, I analyze the beginnings and main currents of metaphysics, in the second, I explore the beginnings and the main currents of ontology, and in the third part, I elucidate the most salient differences between metaphysics and ontology regarding such crucial topics as understanding of being, reality, existence, essence, object, subject, system, and analogy. I found that the differences seem to be substantial, which is why I conclude that we should try to avoid identification of metaphysics with ontology.
The book does not have to be read chapter after chapter, since there are problems which can be grasped separately, what makes it very useful for didactic purposes.
There are few people to whom I would like to express my special thanks: first and foremost, I offer my gratitude to my beloved Parents, Janina and Czesław, and to my wife Hanna and daughter Agata. I also extend thanks to Andrzej Maryniarczyk for assistance with the Polish edition of this book; to the late Hugh McDonald, who expertly translated the Polish edition into English; to Peter Redpath and Robert Delfino, Brill Editors who have been extremely helpful in getting the English translation published; to Edward Macierowski and to Curtis Hancock, who encouraged me intellectually; to my cousin Krzysztof Król and to Halina Szarkowski for their material support; to Elizabeth D. Boepple for her outstanding patience and effectiveness in checking and editing the English translation.