General Metaphysics

John Rickaby’s General Metaphysics (first published 1890) is a systematic textbook that offers a clear and structured introduction to classical metaphysics from a Scholastic, Aristotelian-Thomistic perspective. As part of the Stonyhurst Philosophical Series (also known as the Manuals of Catholic Philosophy), the work is designed for students of philosophy and theology. The book explores the most fundamental questions about reality, including the nature of being, essence and existence, substance and accident, causality, relation, and the attributes of being such as unity, truth, and goodness. Rickaby presents these concepts in a logical, question-and-answer style, aiming to reconcile traditional Aristotelian and Thomistic ideas with the demands of modern philosophical inquiry . He also addresses the problems of space and time, the finite and the infinite, and the concept of personality as a metaphysical category. The work is noted for its clarity and conciseness, making complex abstract ideas accessible to beginners while remaining rigorous enough for advanced study.