# The Base of All Metaphysics explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## What happens

A professor concludes his course by revealing that beneath all philosophical and religious systems, from Plato to Christ, the fundamental truth is the love between comrades, friends, family, and communities.

## Themes in this chapter

### Comradeship and Love

The chapter concludes that the base of all metaphysics is the dear love of man for his comrade, the attraction of friend to friend, and the bonds of family and city.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

The old professor addressing his students at the close of his course.

### Christ

Studied as part of the philosophical and religious systems, yet beneath Christ divine the dear love of man for his comrade is seen.

## Key lines

> Yet underneath Socrates clearly see, and underneath Christ the divine I see, The dear love of man for his comrade, the attraction of friend to friend, Of the well-married husband and wife, of children and parents, Of city for city and land for land.

Beneath all great thinkers and divine figures, the fundamental truth is the love between comrades, friends, spouses, families, and communities.

_The core message of the chapter: love and connection are the foundation of all metaphysics._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/the-base-of-all-metaphysics
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters