关于形而上学的书有很多，但是以形而上学为题的书却没有那么多。首先，我在这里主要想做的既不是阐发我个人的形而上学观点，也不是批判他人的形而上学观点；而是要解释形而上学是什么，为什么形而上学对于知识的健全和进步是必要的以及如何探讨形而上学。其次，我打算清除某些关于形而上学的错误概念，那些错误的概念会导致这样的结论，即形而上学是那些流氓和傻瓜所杜撰的思想的死胡同，许多世纪以来将人们的智慧引向毁灭。最后，我将给读者提供一些形而上学本身的例子，这是为了表明如果在最初的章节中所确定的原则被看做是合理的，形而上学的研究又是如何构造起来的。 这些例子几乎占了本书的一半；但是它们不要被看做是本书的主体，而要被看做是一种或一组附录，可能正如笛卡儿对他本人的一本书的相应的特点所说的那样， specimina philosophande [哲学化的例证]。其中之一，率因果性的那一部分，已经以不同的形式在本年度的亚里士多德学会的学报上发表了。

作者亚里士多德（前384—前322），古希腊伟大的哲学家、科学家和教育家，希腊哲学的集大成者，《形而上学》是他的代表作之一。亚里士多德通过对以往哲学的批判性考察，探究了以最高、最普遍的原则为对象而能到达的最高知识，因此也称之为“第一哲学”。《形而上学》从根本上奠定了西方哲学思想的基本概念和问题，因此也成为西方哲学传统中的经典文本。

What is the relation between a whole and its parts? Is a whole identical to its parts, or is there some other relation of composition? These questions are much discussed in modern philosophy; but Plato's rich discussion of composition has been neglected. Verity Harte provides the first sustained examination of this Platonic discussion and explains its relations to modern debates. She reveals how, in several late works, Plato criticizes the view that a whole is identical to its parts. She then goes on to discuss the intriguing alternative conception of wholes he offers in its place. This book is an invaluable resource both for scholars of Plato and for modern metaphysicians. For scholars of Plato, Harte's careful textual analysis provides fresh insights into some of his most difficult works. For modern metaphysicians, she illuminates the contemporary debate by placing it within an historical context.