,PHIL 201 Quiz 5 | Philosophy and Contemporary Ideas
(2026) Q&A | Liberty University
1. Which of the following best defines metaphysics?
A) The study of knowledge and justified belief
B) The study of the fundamental nature of reality and what exists
C) The study of moral values and principles
D) The study of correct reasoning and argumentation
Correct Answer: The study of the fundamental nature of reality and what exists
Rationale: Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that studies the fundamental nature
of reality, including what exists and what it means to exist. Epistemology studies
knowledge, ethics studies morality, and logic studies reasoning. Metaphysics addresses
questions about being, substance, and the structure of reality.
2. What is the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence itself?
A) Cosmology
B) Ontology
C) Epistemology
D) Teleology
Correct Answer: Ontology
Rationale: Ontology is the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence,
including what kinds of things exist and what it means for something to exist. Cosmology
studies the origin and structure of the universe, epistemology studies knowledge, and
teleology studies purpose or design.
,3. Which of the following is a version of monism?
A) The view that reality consists of two distinct substances
B) The view that reality consists of only one kind of substance
C) The view that reality is ultimately unknowable
D) The view that reality is purely mental
Correct Answer: The view that reality consists of only one kind of substance
Rationale: Monism is the metaphysical view that reality consists of only one kind of
substance. Materialism and idealism are both versions of monism—materialism holds that
only physical things exist, and idealism holds that only mental things exist. Dualism, in
contrast, holds that reality consists of two distinct substances.
4. According to materialism, which of the following is true?
A) Only physical things exist
B) Only mental things exist
C) Both physical and mental things exist as separate substances
D) Reality is an illusion
Correct Answer: Only physical things exist
Rationale: Materialism is a version of monism that holds that only physical things exist. It
denies the existence of spiritual or immaterial realities. God is not the first cause of the
material cosmos in materialism because materialism denies the existence of God. Idealism,
in contrast, holds that only mental things exist.
5. Which of the following is not true of materialism?
, A) It is a version of monism
B) Only physical things exist
C) God is the first cause of the material cosmos
D) There are no spiritual realities
Correct Answer: God is the first cause of the material cosmos
Rationale: Materialism holds that only physical things exist and denies the existence of
spiritual realities. It is a version of monism. The statement that God is the first cause of the
material cosmos is not true of materialism because materialism denies the existence of God.
6. According to Berkeleyan idealism, which of the following exists?
A) Matter exists independently of perception
B) Only finite spirits exist
C) An infinite spirit (God) exists
D) Both matter and spirit exist
Correct Answer: An infinite spirit (God) exists
Rationale: Berkeleyan idealism holds that only minds and their ideas exist. It denies the
existence of mind-independent matter. Finite spirits (human minds) exist, and an infinite
spirit (God) exists as the source of our ideas. Matter does not exist independently of
perception.
7. What is the doctrine that God is greater than the universe and includes and
interpenetrates it?
A) Pantheism
B) Deism
(2026) Q&A | Liberty University
1. Which of the following best defines metaphysics?
A) The study of knowledge and justified belief
B) The study of the fundamental nature of reality and what exists
C) The study of moral values and principles
D) The study of correct reasoning and argumentation
Correct Answer: The study of the fundamental nature of reality and what exists
Rationale: Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that studies the fundamental nature
of reality, including what exists and what it means to exist. Epistemology studies
knowledge, ethics studies morality, and logic studies reasoning. Metaphysics addresses
questions about being, substance, and the structure of reality.
2. What is the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence itself?
A) Cosmology
B) Ontology
C) Epistemology
D) Teleology
Correct Answer: Ontology
Rationale: Ontology is the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence,
including what kinds of things exist and what it means for something to exist. Cosmology
studies the origin and structure of the universe, epistemology studies knowledge, and
teleology studies purpose or design.
,3. Which of the following is a version of monism?
A) The view that reality consists of two distinct substances
B) The view that reality consists of only one kind of substance
C) The view that reality is ultimately unknowable
D) The view that reality is purely mental
Correct Answer: The view that reality consists of only one kind of substance
Rationale: Monism is the metaphysical view that reality consists of only one kind of
substance. Materialism and idealism are both versions of monism—materialism holds that
only physical things exist, and idealism holds that only mental things exist. Dualism, in
contrast, holds that reality consists of two distinct substances.
4. According to materialism, which of the following is true?
A) Only physical things exist
B) Only mental things exist
C) Both physical and mental things exist as separate substances
D) Reality is an illusion
Correct Answer: Only physical things exist
Rationale: Materialism is a version of monism that holds that only physical things exist. It
denies the existence of spiritual or immaterial realities. God is not the first cause of the
material cosmos in materialism because materialism denies the existence of God. Idealism,
in contrast, holds that only mental things exist.
5. Which of the following is not true of materialism?
, A) It is a version of monism
B) Only physical things exist
C) God is the first cause of the material cosmos
D) There are no spiritual realities
Correct Answer: God is the first cause of the material cosmos
Rationale: Materialism holds that only physical things exist and denies the existence of
spiritual realities. It is a version of monism. The statement that God is the first cause of the
material cosmos is not true of materialism because materialism denies the existence of God.
6. According to Berkeleyan idealism, which of the following exists?
A) Matter exists independently of perception
B) Only finite spirits exist
C) An infinite spirit (God) exists
D) Both matter and spirit exist
Correct Answer: An infinite spirit (God) exists
Rationale: Berkeleyan idealism holds that only minds and their ideas exist. It denies the
existence of mind-independent matter. Finite spirits (human minds) exist, and an infinite
spirit (God) exists as the source of our ideas. Matter does not exist independently of
perception.
7. What is the doctrine that God is greater than the universe and includes and
interpenetrates it?
A) Pantheism
B) Deism
