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WorksheetsMetaphysics Exam 2 — Study Guide (60 Core Prompts)
Total questions: 60
Worksheet time: 30mins
Possible worlds are used to help explain modal claims (possibility, necessity, contingency) by:
Providing a framework to evaluate what is possible, necessary, or contingent by considering different ways the world could have been.
Describing only the actual world and ignoring alternatives.
Focusing solely on physical laws without considering alternatives.
Explaining modal claims through empirical observation alone.
A priori necessity differs from a posteriori necessity in which of the following ways?
A priori necessity is knowable independent of experience, while a posteriori necessity is knowable only through experience.
A priori necessity is based on empirical evidence, while a posteriori necessity is based on logic alone.
A priori necessity and a posteriori necessity are both knowable only through experience.
A priori necessity is subjective, while a posteriori necessity is objective.
Distinguish de re vs de dicto modality.
De re modality concerns the properties of things themselves, while de dicto modality concerns the truth of statements or propositions.
De re modality is about the truth of statements, while de dicto modality is about the properties of things themselves.
De re and de dicto modality are identical in meaning.
De dicto modality only applies to mathematics, while de re applies to language.
A modal realist (à la David Lewis) is:
someone who believes that possible worlds are as real as the actual world
someone who denies the existence of possible worlds
someone who believes only in the actual world
someone who thinks possible worlds are fictional constructs
The main objections to modal realism are:
It leads to counterintuitive implications and ontological extravagance.
It is widely accepted as the only explanation for possible worlds.
It eliminates the need for metaphysical discussions.
It is based on empirical scientific evidence.
Actualism differs from modal realism in which of the following ways?
Actualism holds that only actual entities exist, while modal realism posits that all possible worlds are equally real.
Actualism claims all possible worlds are equally real, while modal realism denies the existence of possible worlds.
Actualism and modal realism both deny the existence of possible worlds.
Actualism holds that only possible entities exist, while modal realism holds that only actual entities exist.
The essence of a thing is what, and how does essence explain necessary truths?
The fundamental nature that makes something what it is; essence explains necessary truths by grounding them in the nature of things.
The accidental properties that a thing can lose without ceasing to be itself; essence explains necessary truths by changing over time.
The physical appearance of an object; essence explains necessary truths by observation.
The historical context of a thing; essence explains necessary truths by cultural influence.
Modality matters for metaphysical explanation because:
it helps determine the necessity or possibility of metaphysical relations.
it is only relevant for empirical sciences.
it is unrelated to metaphysical explanation.
it focuses solely on physical causation.
A-theory and B-theory of time are contrasted as follows:
A-theory views time as dynamic and flowing, while B-theory sees time as static and all events as equally real.
A-theory claims all events are equally real, while B-theory claims only the present is real.
A-theory and B-theory both agree that time is an illusion.
A-theory sees time as cyclical, while B-theory sees time as linear.
Presentism, eternalism, and the growing block theory are different philosophical views about what?
The nature of time and existence
The structure of the universe
The origin of consciousness
The laws of physics
Time flows when it moves continuously from the past, through the present, to the future.
Time flows when it moves continuously from the past, through the present, to the future.
Time flows when it remains still and unchanging.
Time flows when it moves only in the future direction.
Time flows when it repeats the same moment endlessly.
Tensed facts differ from tenseless facts in which of the following ways?
Tensed facts are dependent on time, while tenseless facts are not.
Tensed facts are always false, while tenseless facts are always true.
Tensed facts refer to physical objects, while tenseless facts refer to abstract concepts.
Tensed facts are mathematical, while tenseless facts are linguistic.
Some philosophers think the passage of time is an illusion because:
they believe time is a mental construct rather than a physical reality.
they think time moves faster in dreams.
they argue that time is measured by clocks only.
they believe time is controlled by gravity.
The truth-maker problem for the past concerns what makes statements about past events true.
It concerns what makes statements about past events true.
It is about predicting future events accurately.
It deals with the ethics of remembering history.
It focuses on the falsification of present facts.
McTaggart’s paradox challenges the reality of temporal passage by:
Arguing that the passage of time is an illusion due to contradictions in the A-series.
Claiming that time is absolute and unchanging.
Suggesting that time only exists in the physical world.
Proposing that time moves in a circular pattern.
The metaphysics of time affects causation and change because:
It determines how events are ordered and related.
It only deals with physical objects, not events.
It ignores the concept of change entirely.
It is unrelated to the concept of causation.
Ch. 9 — Continuity and Persistence: Persistence through time can be explained by which two theories?
Endurance and perdurance
Reduction and emergence
Dualism and monism
Substance and attribute
Temporal parts theory is a philosophical concept that explains change by suggesting that objects are made up of different parts at different times. Which of the following best describes this theory?
It states that objects are made up of different parts at different times, explaining change as having different temporal parts.
It claims that objects never change and remain the same throughout time.
It suggests that change is an illusion and does not actually occur.
It argues that objects only exist in the present moment and have no past or future parts.
Ch. 9 — Continuity and Persistence: The problem of temporary intrinsics concerns which philosophical issue?
How objects can have properties that change over time
How objects are created from nothing
How objects can exist in multiple places at once
How objects can be divided into parts
Ch. 9 — Continuity and Persistence: Endurantists respond to the problem by claiming that objects are wholly present at every moment of their existence.
By claiming that objects are wholly present at every moment of their existence.
By arguing that objects are only partially present at any given time.
By denying the existence of persistence over time.
By suggesting that objects cease to exist between moments.
Ch. 9 — Continuity and Persistence: Continuity refers to whether an object can survive complete replacement of its parts.
Yes, an object can survive complete replacement of its parts.
No, an object cannot survive any replacement of its parts.
Continuity only applies to living things, not objects.
Replacement of parts always destroys continuity.
Ch. 9 — Continuity and Persistence: The coincidence problem (statue & lump example) refers to which philosophical issue?
How two objects (a statue and a lump of clay) can occupy the same space at the same time but have different properties and persistence conditions.
Why statues are always made from lumps of clay.
How objects change color over time.
Why statues are considered more valuable than lumps of clay.
Ch. 9 — Continuity and Persistence: The identity-over-time criterion for persons or objects is known as:
The persistence of psychological or physical continuity
The change in physical appearance
The acquisition of new memories
The loss of personal identity
Ch. 10 — Criticisms of Metaphysics: Hume thought metaphysics was meaningless or dead because:
it dealt with concepts that could not be verified by experience or reason.
it provided the foundation for all scientific knowledge.
it was essential for understanding the natural world.
it explained the existence of God.
Kant claimed to revive metaphysics in the Critique of Pure Reason by:
establishing the limits and conditions of human knowledge through critical philosophy
rejecting all forms of metaphysical inquiry as meaningless
replacing metaphysics with empirical science entirely
arguing that metaphysics is based solely on faith
Ch. 10 — Criticisms of Metaphysics: The logical positivist critique of metaphysics is that:
Metaphysical statements are meaningless because they cannot be empirically verified.
Metaphysics provides the foundation for all scientific knowledge.
Metaphysical claims are always true by definition.
Metaphysics is necessary for understanding ethics.
Ch. 10 — Criticisms of Metaphysics: Carnap distinguishes internal vs external questions by:
Stating that internal questions are asked within a linguistic framework, while external questions concern the existence or reality of the framework itself.
Claiming both are the same and interchangeable.
Saying internal questions are about ethics, while external are about science.
Arguing that internal questions are always metaphysical, while external are always empirical.
Ch. 10 — Criticisms of Metaphysics: Neo-Humeans defend metaphysics today by:
arguing that metaphysical claims can be justified through empirical evidence and logical reasoning
rejecting all forms of metaphysical inquiry as meaningless
asserting that metaphysics is purely subjective and has no objective basis
claiming that metaphysics is only relevant to religious or mystical experiences
The difference between descriptive and revisionary metaphysics (Strawson) is:
Descriptive metaphysics describes the actual structure of our thought, while revisionary metaphysics seeks to improve or change it.
Descriptive metaphysics aims to revise our conceptual scheme, while revisionary metaphysics describes it as it is.
Descriptive metaphysics is concerned with scientific theories, while revisionary metaphysics deals with everyday language.
Descriptive metaphysics focuses on ethics, while revisionary metaphysics focuses on logic.
Metaphysics is accused of category mistakes because:
it applies concepts to things that do not belong to those categories
it always deals with physical objects only
it ignores logical reasoning
it is based solely on empirical evidence
Maimonides connects knowledge of God with which of the following concepts?
Absence or negation
Direct description
Physical attributes
Positive affirmation
Ch. 15 — Maimonides: Divination of Absence: Negative theology is the idea that we know God only by what He is not.
True
False
It means knowing God by His physical attributes
It means God can be fully described by human language
Divine simplicity is linked to absence of attributes because:
It implies that God is not composed of parts or properties.
It means God has many complex features.
It suggests God changes over time.
It shows God has multiple personalities.
Ch. 15 — Maimonides: Divination of Absence: Maimonides “divines” absence through which of the following methods?
By analogy and privation
By direct revelation
By empirical observation
By mystical experience
Ch. 15 — Maimonides: Divination of Absence: Maimonides offers what metaphysical insight about nothingness and knowledge?
He suggests that true knowledge involves understanding the limits of what can be known, especially regarding nothingness.
He claims that nothingness is the ultimate reality and should be worshipped.
He argues that knowledge is only possible through sensory experience, denying metaphysical speculation.
He believes that nothingness is a positive substance with its own properties.
Bradwardine was known for his concept of a “safe space for absence.” What does this term refer to?
A philosophical idea about the possibility of non-existence or absence within logical space.
A medieval architectural design for secure rooms.
A psychological theory about coping with loss.
A mathematical model for empty sets.
Divine omniscience creates paradoxes of future contingents by:
Implying that if God knows future events, they are predetermined, challenging the concept of free will.
Suggesting that God cannot know the future at all.
Claiming that only humans can know future contingents.
Arguing that future contingents are always false.
His view helps make a “space” for scientific nothingness by:
allowing for the possibility of a void in scientific theories.
eliminating the need for scientific explanations.
proving that nothingness cannot exist in science.
rejecting all scientific evidence.
Bradwardine's approach to infinite regress in divine knowledge is best described as:
He denies the possibility of infinite regress by asserting God's knowledge is simple and non-discursive.
He accepts infinite regress as a necessary aspect of divine knowledge.
He argues that infinite regress is resolved through human reasoning.
He claims that infinite regress is irrelevant to discussions of divine knowledge.
His thought paved the way for Newtonian physics by:
introducing the concept of a rational, law-governed universe
rejecting the use of mathematics in science
focusing solely on metaphysical explanations
denying the existence of natural laws
Newton conceives absolute space and time as what kind of “containers”?
Independent frameworks that exist regardless of objects or events
Relative measures dependent on objects and events
Illusions created by human perception
Physical substances that can be touched and measured
The vacuum is important for Newton’s mechanics because:
it eliminates external forces like air resistance, allowing Newton's laws to be observed more accurately.
it increases the mass of objects, making motion easier to study.
it creates gravity, which is necessary for Newton's laws to work.
it prevents objects from moving at all, demonstrating inertia.
Newton defends empty space against Aristotle’s fullness by arguing that:
space can exist independently of matter
space is always filled with matter
empty space is an illusion
fullness is necessary for motion
The metaphysical status that Newton gives to gravity is:
a substance
a property
a relation
an event
Leibniz means that “possible” is equivalent to which of the following?
Non-contradictory
Necessary
Empirical
Impossible
The Principle of Sufficient Reason relates to possibility in which of the following ways?
It states that for anything that is possible, there must be a reason why it is possible rather than impossible.
It denies the existence of possible worlds.
It claims that all possibilities are actualized.
It suggests that possibility is independent of any reason.
The best of all possible worlds idea refers to:
The belief that our world is the best possible one that could exist.
The idea that every world is equally good.
The belief that there are no possible worlds.
The idea that only perfect worlds can exist.
Leibniz opposes Newton’s concept of absolute space by arguing that:
space is relative and depends on the relations between objects
space is an empty container independent of objects
space and time are absolute entities
space exists independently of matter
Schopenhauer links will and suffering to metaphysical nothingness because:
he believes that the denial of the will leads to the cessation of suffering and thus to metaphysical nothingness.
he thinks will and suffering are illusions created by the mind.
he argues that metaphysical nothingness is the source of all will and suffering.
he claims that suffering is necessary for achieving metaphysical nothingness.
The concept of the “world as will and representation” is tied to the absence of meaning because:
it suggests that reality is driven by irrational forces without inherent purpose.
it claims that the world is governed by rational laws and meaning.
it argues that meaning is imposed by religious beliefs.
it states that meaning is found in material possessions.
Pessimism redefines “nothing” as which of the following?
Relief from striving
A source of hope
An opportunity for growth
A cause for celebration
Negation or denial of will plays what metaphysical role?
It leads to liberation from suffering.
It increases attachment to desires.
It creates new desires.
It strengthens the ego.
Bergson’s duration (la durée) opposes mechanistic time by:
Emphasizing the qualitative, continuous flow of lived experience over quantitative, segmented measurement.
Supporting the idea that time is best understood through clocks and calendars.
Arguing that time is an illusion and only space is real.
Claiming that mechanistic time is superior to lived experience.
Bergson sees nothingness as:
a creative absence
a logical contradiction
an absolute void
a scientific concept
Sartre describes “nothingness within being” in Being and Nothingness as:
a negation that arises from human consciousness
an inherent property of physical objects
a scientific concept related to quantum physics
a religious interpretation of the soul
Negation in consciousness refers to how we bring absence into the world.
By affirming the presence of something
By ignoring all sensory input
By bringing absence into awareness
By focusing only on positive experiences
Sartre says freedom depends on nothingness because:
nothingness allows individuals to define themselves without predetermined essence.
nothingness is the source of all material reality.
freedom is only possible through societal rules.
nothingness eliminates the need for personal responsibility.
The problem of negative existentials (e.g., “Pegasus doesn’t exist”) is:
It raises the issue of how we can meaningfully talk about things that do not exist.
It proves that all mythical creatures exist in some form.
It shows that language cannot refer to real objects.
It demonstrates that existence is not a property of objects.
Russell solves it with definite description theory by:
Analyzing sentences with definite descriptions to clarify meaning and avoid ambiguity.
Rejecting the use of definite descriptions in language.
Arguing that definite descriptions are meaningless.
Claiming that all descriptions refer to existing objects.
Why does this cap Sorensen’s history of nothingness (absence in logic and language)?
Because it represents the culmination of the concept of absence in logic and language.
Because it introduces a new theory unrelated to nothingness.
Because it focuses solely on physical phenomena.
Because it disregards the role of language in logic.
