What is the field of study that examines the fundamental nature of reality and existence?

Metaphysics is the field of study that investigates the fundamental nature of reality and existence. It explores concepts such as being, existence, and the relationships between objects and their properties. Metaphysics seeks to answer profound questions about the nature of the universe, such as what it means for something to exist, the nature of objects, time, space, and causality.

While other fields of philosophy like epistemology focus on knowledge and belief, logic analyzes the principles of reasoning, and phenomenology studies the structures of experience and consciousness, metaphysics directly addresses the essence of everything that exists. This makes it distinct and pivotal in philosophical inquiry, providing frameworks that influence various other disciplines, including science and ethics. The study of metaphysics lays the groundwork for understanding more specialized areas of inquiry within philosophy and beyond.