01
True or false
1 point
True or false: All philosophers accept one fixed definition of metaphysics.
Free Practice Quiz Question List
1 What Is Metaphysics? Online Quiz Questions
Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 1 What Is Metaphysics?, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.
20 questions
02
Written response
1 point
What is the traditional study of being as such called?
03
Choose one
1 point
A researcher uses experiments to measure how objects move. A philosopher then asks whether the laws describing those movements determine everything that happens. Which activity is the metaphysical inquiry?
- A
A physics investigation measuring the motion of falling objects
- B
A philosophical inquiry into whether physical laws determine every event
- C
An experiment recording how quickly a chemical reaction proceeds
- D
A survey measuring how often people choose a particular answer
04
True or false
1 point
True or false: Physicalism and dualism are methods of inquiry, rather than competing metaphysical positions.
- A
True
- B
False
05
Fill in the blank
1 point
When assessing a proposed answer, conceptual and logical analysis can test whether it is .
06
Written response
1 point
What metaphysical position holds that reality is fundamentally physical?
07
Choose one
1 point
A theory says that reality is fundamentally physical, including whatever explains mental life. Which position does this most directly express?
- A
Physicalism
- B
Dualism
- C
Idealism
- D
Anti-realism
08
Fill in the blank
1 point
Questions about what could have happened and what must be true concern possibility and .
09
Choose all
1 point
A class compares ways of investigating a question about reality. Which descriptions accurately match approaches used in metaphysics? Select all that apply.
- A
Clarifying what a question means and checking whether an answer is consistent
- B
Taking scientific findings seriously when developing an account of reality
- C
Treating scientific evidence as guaranteed to settle every metaphysical question
- D
Reasoning about fundamental principles or possibility beyond direct observation
10
Choose one
1 point
One philosopher argues that the world exists largely independently of what anyone thinks or perceives. Which view does this best represent?
- A
Reality exists only when people agree that it does
- B
Reality exists largely independently of what people think or perceive
- C
Reality is fundamentally physical, by definition
- D
Questions about reality can be answered only through experiments
11
Choose all
1 point
According to metaphysics, which topics could be affected by a view about what minds are? Select all that apply.
- A
It can affect how mental causes are explained
- B
It can affect how human freedom is explained
- C
It proves that every action is uncaused
- D
It determines exactly which choices a person will make
12
Open ended
1 point
A research team uses findings about brains and behavior to develop a theory of mind. Explain how an empirical or naturalistic approach contributes to this inquiry, how conceptual and logical analysis could also help, and why the scientific findings might not settle every metaphysical question about mind.
13
True or false
1 point
True or false: Anti-realism is a family of views rather than one single theory.
- A
True
- B
False
14
Choose one
1 point
A researcher documents that one event regularly follows another. A philosopher then asks what it means for the first event to cause the second. Which best describes the philosopher’s question?
- A
It is a scientific measurement of a particular event.
- B
It is a metaphysical question about what causation is.
- C
It is a claim that minds are fundamentally physical.
- D
It is a question about whether a person persists over time.
15
Choose one
1 point
A philosopher asks whether properties exist as real features of the world or whether only physical objects and events exist. Which central metaphysical question is at issue?
- A
Whether a person remains the same person after years of change
- B
Whether actions can be free if they have causes
- C
Whether properties exist as well as physical objects
- D
Whether scientific evidence can inform theories of mind
16
Choose one
1 point
A philosopher uses findings about brains and behavior to develop a theory of mind, while acknowledging that those findings may not settle what consciousness is. Which approach is being used?
- A
An empirical and naturalistic approach
- B
A rationalist or speculative approach
- C
A conceptual and logical analysis
- D
An anti-realist approach
17
Choose one
1 point
Someone asks whether a person remains the same person after substantial changes in their body, memories, and personality. Which central metaphysical question does this most directly raise?
- A
Whether minds are physical or nonphysical
- B
Whether the laws of nature are features of reality
- C
Whether reality depends on human concepts
- D
What makes someone the same person despite years of change
18
Choose one
1 point
A debate about free will seems confused. One philosopher separates the claim that an action is uncaused from the claim that a person can act according to their reasons, then checks whether the competing claims are consistent. Which approach is this?
- A
It measures the frequency of a physical event.
- B
It uses scientific findings to establish a theory of mind.
- C
It distinguishes different meanings of freedom and checks whether claims are consistent.
- D
It argues that reality depends on human concepts and language.
19
Written response
1 point
What metaphysical position gives mind or experience a fundamental role in reality?
20
Written response
1 point
A philosopher asks whether natural laws are features of reality or descriptions of regular patterns. What metaphysical topic is being examined? Enter the concise topic term.