Question 1

If you were to embrace Spinoza's metaphysics you would also have to embrace an idea of radical freedom.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

The early Greek philosophers' theories were monumental because they were attempting to explain the world

Accepted Answer

A)  through appealing to the moods and whims of the gods. 
B)  through appealing to a single divine Creator,the Demiurge. 
C)  in terms of an infinite number of principles. 
D)  in a systematic way,not by appeal to the moods and whims of invisible gods. 
A)  through appealing to the moods and whims of the gods. 
B)  through appealing to a single divine Creator,the Demiurge. 
C)  in terms of an infinite number of principles. 
D)  in a systematic way,not by appeal to the moods and whims of invisible gods.

Question 3

Because it was built on the "the will to live," Schopenhauer's metaphysics was essentially optimistic.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

To say that one's ontology is evaluative means that

Accepted Answer

A)  it is beyond theory and argument. 
B)  it is a branch of ethics. 
C)  it is a way of weighing what is most basic to our view of the world. 
D)  it is subjective. 
A)  it is beyond theory and argument. 
B)  it is a branch of ethics. 
C)  it is a way of weighing what is most basic to our view of the world. 
D)  it is subjective.

Question 5

Parmenides thought that the world is unreal because reality,at its core,is in flux.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

What sorts of different realities make up the Two Worlds?

Accepted Answer

The concept of "Two Worlds" can be inter

Question 7

What is a teleological metaphysics?How does it differ from a mechanistic metaphysics?
Is there anything in between a mechanistic and teleological viewpoint?
That is,can there be a non-teleological but non-mechanistic viewpoint,or are these exhaustive of all metaphysical possibilities? 
Focus on six thinkers in Chapter four,and clarify the teleological,non-teleological and mechanistic dimensions of their viewpoints.
Which viewpoint do you favor and why?

Accepted Answer

This asks students t

Question 8

According to Kant,when we act and actually do something

Accepted Answer

A)  we view our bodies as physical nerves and muscles. 
B)  we are inhabiting a purely natural world. 
C)  our bodies simply become the means by which we carry out our intentions,obey certain principles,achieve certain ends. 
D)  we can only do so after having proved the principles our actions are based on. 
A)  we view our bodies as physical nerves and muscles. 
B)  we are inhabiting a purely natural world. 
C)  our bodies simply become the means by which we carry out our intentions,obey certain principles,achieve certain ends. 
D)  we can only do so after having proved the principles our actions are based on.

Question 9

"Primitive" mythologies,which postulate spirits,demons,gods,and goddesses are similar to science,because both seek an explanation of superficial appearances in terms of a hidden reality.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Remembering that metaphysics is evaluative,complete exercise # 1,on p.107-108.
If you are inclined to add some elements to the list,go ahead and do this.
Make sure you complete the rankings honestly: they should reflect what you actually see in your life,and not simply what you'd like to believe about yourself.
Write an essay describing what you observe.
Looking at the rankings,try to assess how (if at all)your viewpoint makes the two basic assumptions of Western metaphysics: that what is basically real endures change,and that basic reality forms some kind of unity.
Does your metaphysical viewpoint resemble any of those developed in chapter four?

Accepted Answer

This essay encourages students

Question 11

According to idealism,the basis of the existence of all things is the mind (whether our own minds or the mind of God).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

The basic metaphysical assumption that reality is unified,is reflected in the fact that scientists always prefer the most elegant theory that ties together the most material under the simplest principle.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

When Anne claims that the only things we are ever aware of are our ideas of the world,then she is one step away from

Accepted Answer

A)  monism. 
B)  idealism. 
C)  empiricism. 
D)  materialism. 
A)  monism. 
B)  idealism. 
C)  empiricism. 
D)  materialism.

Question 14

Thales was the first Western philosopher to argue that the ultimate reality was air.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

According to Eddington,the physicist sees a plank on the street as

Accepted Answer

A)  a solid,unyielding object. 
B)  mostly emptiness,consisting in myriads of electrical charges dashing about at great speeds. 
C)  existing,relative to the observer. 
D)  God,or Absolute Spirit. 
A)  a solid,unyielding object. 
B)  mostly emptiness,consisting in myriads of electrical charges dashing about at great speeds. 
C)  existing,relative to the observer. 
D)  God,or Absolute Spirit.

Question 16

Define ontology.

Accepted Answer

An ontology is essentially the

Question 17

Charles Hartshorne responds to the idea that God is absolutely perfect,and therefore unchangeable,by saying that

Accepted Answer

A)  it is largely correct. 
B)  it is largely consistent with the Bible. 
C)  perfection as ordinarily understood excludes change. 
D)  perfection as ordinarily understood does not exclude change. 
A)  it is largely correct. 
B)  it is largely consistent with the Bible. 
C)  perfection as ordinarily understood excludes change. 
D)  perfection as ordinarily understood does not exclude change.

Question 18

While Immanuel Kant thought the Will was subject to human reason and so rational,Arthur Schopenhauer believed it was

Accepted Answer

A)  a blind,violent force operating
Through us,provoking us to act through desires and passions. 
B)  rational but based on God's Will. 
C)  rational,but based on the passions,and not reason. 
D)  a pure illusion. 
A)  a blind,violent force operating
Through us,provoking us to act through desires and passions. 
B)  rational but based on God's Will. 
C)  rational,but based on the passions,and not reason. 
D)  a pure illusion.

Question 19

Berkeley's statement "esse est percipi" implies a form of subjective idealism.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

What are two of the tests that are usually imposed on the notion of what is "most real?"

Accepted Answer

First,that which is most real

If you were to embrace Spinoza's metaphysics you would also have to embrace an idea of radical freedom.

The early Greek philosophers' theories were monumental because they were attempting to explain the world

Because it was built on the "the will to live," Schopenhauer's metaphysics was essentially optimistic.

To say that one's ontology is evaluative means that

Parmenides thought that the world is unreal because reality,at its core,is in flux.

What sorts of different realities make up the Two Worlds?

According to Kant,when we act and actually do something

"Primitive" mythologies,which postulate spirits,demons,gods,and goddesses are similar to science,because both seek an explanation of superficial appearances in terms of a hidden reality.

According to idealism,the basis of the existence of all things is the mind (whether our own minds or the mind of God).

The basic metaphysical assumption that reality is unified,is reflected in the fact that scientists always prefer the most elegant theory that ties together the most material under the simplest principle.

When Anne claims that the only things we are ever aware of are our ideas of the world,then she is one step away from

Thales was the first Western philosopher to argue that the ultimate reality was air.

According to Eddington,the physicist sees a plank on the street as

Define ontology.

Charles Hartshorne responds to the idea that God is absolutely perfect,and therefore unchangeable,by saying that

While Immanuel Kant thought the Will was subject to human reason and so rational,Arthur Schopenhauer believed it was

Berkeley's statement "esse est percipi" implies a form of subjective idealism.

What are two of the tests that are usually imposed on the notion of what is "most real?"

Philosophical Questions

The Meaning of Life

God

The Search for Truth

Self

Freedom

Morality and the Good Life

Justice and the Good Society

Non-Western Philosophy

Beauty

Filters

Exam 4: The Nature of Reality

If you were to embrace Spinoza's metaphysics you would also have to embrace an idea of radical freedom.

The early Greek philosophers' theories were monumental because they were attempting to explain the world

Because it was built on the "the will to live," Schopenhauer's metaphysics was essentially optimistic.

To say that one's ontology is evaluative means that

Parmenides thought that the world is unreal because reality,at its core,is in flux.

What sorts of different realities make up the Two Worlds?

According to Kant,when we act and actually do something

"Primitive" mythologies,which postulate spirits,demons,gods,and goddesses are similar to science,because both seek an explanation of superficial appearances in terms of a hidden reality.

According to idealism,the basis of the existence of all things is the mind (whether our own minds or the mind of God).

The basic metaphysical assumption that reality is unified,is reflected in the fact that scientists always prefer the most elegant theory that ties together the most material under the simplest principle.

When Anne claims that the only things we are ever aware of are our ideas of the world,then she is one step away from

Thales was the first Western philosopher to argue that the ultimate reality was air.

According to Eddington,the physicist sees a plank on the street as

Define ontology.

Charles Hartshorne responds to the idea that God is absolutely perfect,and therefore unchangeable,by saying that

While Immanuel Kant thought the Will was subject to human reason and so rational,Arthur Schopenhauer believed it was

Berkeley's statement "esse est percipi" implies a form of subjective idealism.

What are two of the tests that are usually imposed on the notion of what is "most real?"

Philosophical Questions

The Meaning of Life

God

The Search for Truth

Self

Freedom

Morality and the Good Life

Justice and the Good Society

Non-Western Philosophy

Beauty

Filters