This book presents a clear, concise and affordable introduction to this major core component of any undergraduate philosophy degree. Metaphysics - the philosophy of being and knowing - is a subject with which all students of philosophy must grapple. Indeed, a clear grasp of metaphysics is essential to the effective and fulfilling study of philosophy. This guidebook is the ideal introduction to the central ideas and problems encountered when studying metaphysics. It gives a full account of thinking on metaphysics from Plato and Aristotle onwards and illustrates the place of metaphysics in other core areas of philosophy - epistemology; philosophy of language; philosophy of science. Close attention is also given to the critics of metaphysics - logical positivists such as Wittgenstein, Heidegger and Quine. Among the topics covered are: Essence and Substance, The Physical World, The Human World, The Animal and its World, People and their Thoughts, Values and Human Nature, and God. Key Concepts in Philosophy is a series of concise, accessible and engaging introductions to the core ideas and subjects encountered in the study of philosophy. Specially written to meet the needs of students and those with an interest in, but little prior knowledge of, philosophy, these books open up fascinating, yet sometimes difficult ideas. The series builds to give a solid grounding in philosophy and each book is also ideal as a companion to further study.