metaphysics has far broader meaning. Aquinas defines metaphysics as “the science of being.” It is, he tells us, the inquiry into the very essence of an object—the study of what makes a thing a thing. Uh-oh. I can sense your eyes glazing over already. Let me see if I can make this notion a little more accessible—and show you why you should care. As we have already seen, philosophers like Aquinas often concern themselves with issues taken for granted by most people. (As if I had to tell you this.)