Question 1

Inherent in philosophical systems of the Middle Ages was the confidence that the world was ultimately __________.
A) benevolent
B) absurd
C) intelligible
D) unintelligible

Accepted Answer

Philosophical systems of the Middle Ages believed in the intelligibility of the world, meaning that it could be understood and studied through reason and logic. This belief was based on the notion that the world was created by a rational and intelligent God, and therefore, it was inherently logical and orderly.

Question 2

Modern metaphysics, as exemplified by Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz, includes a notion that was not considered in ancient metaphysics. This notion is __________.
A) emotions
B) free will
C) intentionality
D) mind

Accepted Answer

The modern notion that was not considered in ancient metaphysics is the concept of mind. Descartes famously introduced the idea of the mind-body dualism, where the mind is separate from the physical body while Spinoza and Leibniz also expanded on this idea in their own ways. Emotions, intentionality, and free will were all topics that were discussed in ancient metaphysics.

Question 3

How many substances did Descartes divide the domain of nature into?
A) One
B) An infinite number
C) Two
D) None

Accepted Answer

Descartes divided the domain of nature into two substances, namely, mind (or soul) and matter. This is known as Cartesian Dualism.

Question 4

What is Spinoza's theory of how the universe came to be?
A) God caused existence
B) the big bang
C) the universe has always existed
D) existence is not real

Accepted Answer

Spinoza believed in the principle of eternality, stating that the universe has always existed and will always exist. He saw God and the universe as one and the same entity, and therefore, the universe's existence is necessary and self-caused. Spinoza's philosophy rejects the idea of a creator God who caused the universe's existence, so options A and B are incorrect. Option D is also incorrect as Spinoza argued that existence is real and eternal.

Question 5

The thesis that every event in the universe necessarily occurs as the result of its cause
Is called __________.
A) causation
B) determinism
C) compatibilism
D) metaphysics

Accepted Answer

The thesis that every event in the universe necessarily occurs as the result of its cause is known as determinism. It is the idea that all events, including human actions, are ultimately determined by a previous cause or set of causes.

Question 6

Spinoza believed that there was no such thing as __________.
A) determinism
B) mind
C) free will
D) causation

Accepted Answer

Spinoza believed in determinism, where everything that happens is determined by the nature of the universe and its laws. He argued against the concept of free will, suggesting that our actions are determined by external causes and our understanding.

Question 7

According to Leibniz, the world was composed of aggregates of basic, immaterial, indivisible substances called __________.
A) monads
B) atoms
C) subatomic particles
D) self-caused points

Accepted Answer

Leibniz's philosophy posited that the world was made up of monads, which were the basic units of reality and indivisible substances. He believed that these monads were immaterial and self-contained, each reflecting the entire universe from a unique perspective.

Question 8

For Bertrand Russell, "size" is __________.
A) absolute
B) relative to a point of reference
C) subjective to the viewer
D) an unintelligible concept

Accepted Answer

Bertrand Russell believed that size was relative to a point of reference. He argued that what may be large in one context may be small in another, highlighting the subjectivity of size.

Question 9

What guarantees that all of the views from all of the perspectives are in agreement in Leibniz's theory?
A) Pre-established harmony
B) Newton's laws of Physics
C) they are not in agreement
D) action-at-a-distance

Accepted Answer

Leibniz's theory relies on the concept of pre-established harmony, which posits that all individual perceptions are pre-ordained to be in agreement with one another by God. Therefore, all perspectives must be in agreement in Leibniz's theory due to this pre-established harmony.

Question 10

According to Leibniz, __________ is experience and present in every monad, ________ on the other hand is a very special kind of experience and found in only certain kinds of monads.
A) reality, space
B) perception, consciousness
C) time, space
D) thought, emotion

Accepted Answer

Leibniz believed that perception, which is a form of experience, is present in every monad. However, consciousness, which is a higher form of experience, is only present in certain types of monads, specifically those of animals and humans.

Question 11

How does Plato's theory of the forms drastically distinguish him from the pre-Socratics? Furthermore, explain Aristotle's response to Plato's theory of Forms.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Plato's theory of the forms...

Question 12

Explain the problem of having substances that interact with each other. Provide a detailed account of the ways that Descartes, Leibniz, and Spinoza solved (or failed to solve) this problem. Further, could any of these solutions have helped Plato solve the problem of participation? Are there any similarities between participation and substance interaction? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

The immortal recurring soul has played a key role in many philosophical theories of reality. How have philosophers used it in the past (eastern and western) to make sense of our ability to obtain knowledge? What are some weaknesses to this kind of metaphysical argument?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The immortal recurring soul has played a...

Question 14

Write a dialogue between Descartes and Aristotle on the Question of substance and our knowledge of substance.

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

Explain the argument in the abstracted portion of Meno. Then offer three criticisms of the argument.

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

What is the "appearance/reality" distinction? How has science increased the discrepancy between the way the world seems and the way it really must be? Discuss how philosophers through the ages have tackled this issue.

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

What are the similarities between the western philosophy of the monist Parmenides and his theory of "the one" with the eastern monism philosophy of the Upanishads and Laozi's "Dao De Jing"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the similarities between the western...

Question 18

How do Buddhists explain the causal interdependence of all things, if all things are insubstantial? How can insubstantial things, that is, nothing, interact or relate to anything?

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

After reading both sides of the metaphysical arguments between Plato and Aristotle about "how to know what is real", who appears to reflect contemporary scientific views and who reflects religious views?

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Leibniz and Spinoza are both heavily influenced by Aristotle and have committed their philosophical approach to metaphysics on the notion of substance. But, the two drastically disagree about the structure of these substances as Leibniz is a pluralist and Spinoza a monist. Compare and contrast the unique views of each philosopher. Who appears to you to have the stronger argument?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Leibniz and Spinoza are both heavily influenced...

Quiz 1: Reality

Inherent in philosophical systems of the Middle Ages was the confidence that the world was ultimately __________.

Modern metaphysics, as exemplified by Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz, includes a notion that was not considered in ancient metaphysics. This notion is __________.

How many substances did Descartes divide the domain of nature into?

What is Spinoza's theory of how the universe came to be?

The thesis that every event in the universe necessarily occurs as the result of its cause Is called __________.

Spinoza believed that there was no such thing as __________.

According to Leibniz, the world was composed of aggregates of basic, immaterial, indivisible substances called __________.

For Bertrand Russell, "size" is __________.

What guarantees that all of the views from all of the perspectives are in agreement in Leibniz's theory?

According to Leibniz, __ is experience and present in every monad, on the other hand is a very special kind of experience and found in only certain kinds of monads.