Metaphysics Test Review
Curricular objectives: From what you have learned in this unit, you should be able to:
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demonstrate an understanding of some of the main questions in metaphysics
summarize the positions of various major philosophers and schools of philosophy on some
of the main questions in metaphysics
explain different metaphysical theories with reference to some classic and contemporary
texts
compare how different philosophers and/or schools of philosophy approach the same
metaphysical questions/issues
evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of philosophical responses to some of the main
questions in metaphysics
demonstrate an understanding of the influence that ideas related to metaphysics have on
your everyday life
explain ways in which metaphysics draws from and influences other areas of philosophy!
describe forces that have helped shape the evolution of metaphysical thought over time,
and analyze their impact
demonstrate an understanding of the influence of metaphysical ideas on other subject areas
formulate and explain, using philosophical reasoning skills, your own clear and cogent
responses to some of the main questions in metaphysics
evaluate and defend, in philosophical changes with others, your own responses to some of
the main questions in metaphysics, and anticipate and respond logically to counterarguments
correctly use terminology related to metaphysics
Topically, you should be familiar with these ideas/terms/concepts (including, where appropriate,
the individual philosophers who have contributed to the body of knowledge on them)
Reality and being
Idealism
Materialism
Monism
Dualism
Plato’s Theory of the Forms
Aristotle
Socrates and the Dialogues
Descartes
God - definitions and characteristics of God
Omnipotence, Omnipresence,
Omniscient, Benevolent
Theism, Deism, Atheism, Agnosticism
The Ontological Argument (St. Anselm)
Objections to the Ontological Argument
The Cosmological Argument (St. Thomas
Aquinas)
Objections to the Cosmological Argument
Pascal’s Wager
The Teleological Argument
Objections to the Teleological Argument
The ‘Problem of Evil’
Causation!
Chain of Causality
‘Prime Mover’
Time - what is it?
Subjective Time
Objective Time