Why a Metaphysical Review?
                           __________________________

                                Michael O'Connor

                                Department of Physics and Applied Physics
                                University of Massachusetts Lowell
                                Lowell, MA 01854
                                OCONNORMI@WOODS.UML.EDU
	                        (received July 25, 1994)
 
	Tim Smith sent me an e-mail message suggesting the creation of a new 
electronic journal on metaphysics.  I quickly got back to him that I thought 
it was an excellent idea and I would have more to say when I got back from a 
meeting in Tennessee.
	Phone calls and e-mail messages later, we are on the threshold of a 
new adventure.  The question is why would anyone knowingly want to start a 
journal on metaphysics, what's it's purpose?
	I envision this journal serving many roles.  Primarily, as all good 
journals are, it will be informative.  Individuals and groups will present 
their ideas, the ideas will be discussed - pruned in some parts, fleshed out 
in others.  A consensus will be built and, hopefully, we will all come to a 
greater understanding of the meaning of what we do.
	The journal is a natural outgrowth of a "Seminar in Theoretical 
Physics," which was taught at the University of Massachusetts Lowell by Lloyd 
Kannenberg.  A group of us met once a week to discuss subjects ranging from 
entropy and the arrow of time to Dirac's large number hypothesis.  Some 
theories fared better than others, Dirac, I'm afraid, was one of the others.
	Time inevitably passed, and the class moved on.  Although the 
discussions were lively, they hardly resolved all of the issues raised.  There 
is more to be said.  Hopefully this journal can address this need.  
	In closing, I hope this journal grows with the same strength and vigor 
as Tim and Kristina's children.  I hope it does it with grace.  I wish them, 
this journal and it's subscribers continued success.

                                           Michael O'Connor
                                           June/July 1994