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Why is it difficult to give one definition that covers all of metaphysics?

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Marble bust of Aristotle with a beard and draped robe, showing detailed facial features and wavy hair, set against a dark background. — metaphysics Detail of a Roman copy (2nd century bce) of a Greek alabaster portrait bust of Aristotle (c. 325 bce); in the collection of the Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.

It is difficult to provide a single, comprehensive definition of metaphysics because the scope of the discipline has expanded significantly since its inception, rendering traditional definitions either too broad or too narrow.1

Originally, Aristotle defined "first philosophy" as the study of "being as such" and the "first causes of things". However, since the 17th century, the term has been applied to a much wider range of questions, including problems regarding the identity of material objects, causation, and time.1

The difficulty in defining the field arises from several factors:
* Broadening Scope: Modern metaphysics includes diverse problems that do not directly concern being or first causes, making traditional definitions like "an investigation into the nature of being" inaccurate or barely informative.1
* Conceptual Overlap: There is a persistent overlap between metaphysical problems and those of other disciplines, such as physics, which complicates efforts to isolate a unique subject matter.1
* Methodological Diversity: While metaphysicians generally share the method of attempting to think clearly and consistently, this approach is also common to other branches of philosophy, preventing it from serving as a unique identifier.1

Consequently, rather than relying on a single definition, scholars typically describe the nature of the field by surveying a series of problems that are widely recognized as belonging to modern metaphysics.1