I try to stay completely away from it, but the term could have different contexts. I try to stay away from the why of things or the purpose of things, except in a dead matter context, or a mechanical physic purpose for a property or an interaction. An example would be the purpose of a neutron and it’s function in the nucleus.
When, where and why particles are here, or how made……… can not be answered.
I use an old physical model for mass and matter. Using motion that forms and powers the properties we measure about matter. And the mechanics of emission and absorption. Light/matter dynamics.
I try and stay away from any biophysics. Which involves probability, randomness and chaos.
My stage is cubic empty space, time and length pillars, and no probability, randomness and chaos is permitted.
The stage is the concept of physical reality. Maybe that could be called metaphysics.
It is much more restrictive and limited than the modern stage. Empty no property space is paramount. Another pillar. Only two forces plus an indirect one, and only two particles for the periodic table.
Another limitation.
And still explain the measurements of today. Which I attempt to do. With this stage.
But it all just hayseed supposition. A simple view.