Metaphysics Final Study Guide

Being vs. Beings

'Being' (Sein) makes beings intelligible, not a thing itself.

Dasein

Human existence as 'Being-there' or being-in-the-world.

Das Man

Inauthentic existence characterized by public, impersonal norm-following.

Aletheia

Truth as 'unconcealment' or revelation, not merely correctness.

Phenomenology

Letting beings reveal themselves as they really are.

Existence ≠ Property

Existence does not divide objects like genuine properties.

Fregean Criterion

A property should split the domain into haves and have-nots.

a-Strategy

Everything exists; no contrast class.

b-Strategy

Existence applies to concepts or predicates, not objects.

Deflationary View

'Exists' is equivalent to quantification, not a deep attribute.

Negative Entities

Permitted only if logically or empirically necessary.

Negative Properties

Cannot be meaningfully shared; e.g., 'non-red'.

Causal Absences

Interpreted via counterfactuals, not real absences.

Negative Truths

Do not require negative truthmakers; rely on logical structure.

Dualism

Mind and body are distinct substances.

Interaction Problem

Challenge in explaining how mind and body interact.

Behaviorism

Mind interpreted as observable behavior.

Identity Theory

Mind equated with brain states.

Functionalism

Mind defined by its functional role within a system.

Qualia

Subjective experience that poses challenges to materialism.

Intentionality

Aboutness of mental states.

Definite Descriptions

Analyze phrases to extract meaning without referents.

Contextual Definitions

Words gain meaning only in the context of sentences.

Logical Constructions

Reduction of higher entities to lower entities.

Proper Names

Most are disguised descriptions; some are logically proper.

Existential Quantification

Existential statements express existence with quantifiers.

Ontological Commitment

Existence defined as being the value of a variable.

Domain of Quantification

Includes only actual entities, excluding mythical beings.

Substitution Interpretation

True if a substitution instance holds.

Range Interpretation

True if something in the domain satisfies F.

Existence in Framework

Membership in the spatio-temporal-causal network.

World Composition

Matter, form, and totality define existence.

Against Berkeleyan View

Not all existing things are perceivable.

Operational Definition of Existence

a exists if a is part of the space-time-causal system.

Q: What is Dasein according to Heidegger?

A: Human existence as "being-there"—embedded in the world, not an isolated subject.

Q: What is Heidegger's concept of das Man?

A: The impersonal, inauthentic mode of being where one follows public norms.

Q: What does aletheia mean in Heidegger’s ontology?

A: Truth as unconcealment—revealing what was hidden.

Q: What is the Fregean criterion for something being a property?

A: A property must divide objects into those that have it and those that do not.

Q: Why isn't existence a property according to Frege and Bacigalupo?

A: Because all objects would fall into the “has it” category, offering no distinction.

Q: What is Bacigalupo’s a-strategy?

A: Claiming everything exists, so existence doesn't divide anything.

Q: What is the b-strategy in denying existence as a property?

A: Assigning existence to predicates or concepts, not to objects.

Q: Define “logical fiction” in Russell’s terms.

A: An entity that appears in language but is eliminated via logical analysis.

Q: What is Russell’s theory of definite descriptions?

A: Descriptions refer via quantifiers and logical form, not directly.

Q: Give an example of Russell's paraphrase for “The present King of France is bald.”
A: ∃x (x is King of France ∧ ∀y (if y is King of France then y = x) ∧ x is bald)

Flashcard 11
Q: What is a logically proper name according to Russell?
A: A name like “this” or “that” referring to an immediately given object.

Flashcard 12
Q: What does Quine mean by “To be is to be the value of a variable”?
A: Existence is defined by being in the range of a bound variable.

Flashcard 13
Q: What are the two interpretations of existential quantification?
A: Substitution and range interpretations.

Flashcard 14
Q: What is the substitution interpretation?
A: A quantified statement is true if some substitution instance (like “Tom is a man”) is true.

Flashcard 15
Q: What is the range interpretation of ∃?
A: A quantified statement is true if some object in a defined domain satisfies the predicate.

Flashcard 16
Q: Why is the range interpretation potentially circular?
A: It presupposes a domain of existing things, which is what it's supposed to define.

Flashcard 17
Q: What is the final definition of existence in the metaphysical framework?
A: To exist is to belong to the space-time-causal system.

Flashcard 18
Q: How does Mumford view negative properties?
A: They aren’t metaphysically real unless necessary; “non-red” doesn't pick out a uniform class.

Flashcard 19
Q: What is a counterfactual interpretation of causal absences?
A: X caused Y by not being there if Y wouldn't have occurred had X been there.

Flashcard 20
Q: How does Russell treat the statement “Homer exists”?
A: If “Homer” is a proper name, it's either tautologous or meaningless unless turned into a description.

Flashcard 21
Q: What is intentionality in philosophy of mind?
A: The mind’s capacity to be about or represent things.

Flashcard 22
Q: What is the problem of qualia?
A: Materialist theories struggle to explain subjective experience (e.g., what red looks like).

Flashcard 23
Q: What does the identity theory claim?
A: Each mental state is identical to a specific brain state.

Flashcard 24
Q: What does functionalism say about mental states?
A: Mental states are defined by their functional roles within a system.

Q: Give an example of Russell's paraphrase for “The present King of France is bald.”

A: ∃x (x is King of France ∧ ∀y (if y is King of France then y = x) ∧ x is bald)

Q: What is a logically proper name according to Russell?

A: A name like “this” or “that” referring to an immediately given object.

Q: What does Quine mean by “To be is to be the value of a variable”?

A: Existence is defined by being in the range of a bound variable.

Q: What are the two interpretations of existential quantification?

A: Substitution and range interpretations.

Q: What is the substitution interpretation?

A: A quantified statement is true if some substitution instance (like “Tom is a man”) is true.

Q: What is the range interpretation of ∃?

A: A quantified statement is true if some object in a defined domain satisfies the predicate.

Q: Why is the range interpretation potentially circular?

A: It presupposes a domain of existing things, which is what it's supposed to define.

Q: What is the final definition of existence in the metaphysical framework?

A: To exist is to belong to the space-time-causal system.

Q: How does Mumford view negative properties?

A: They aren’t metaphysically real unless necessary; “non-red” doesn't pick out a uniform class.

Q: What is a counterfactual interpretation of causal absences?

A: X caused Y by not being there if Y wouldn't have occurred had X been there.

Q: How does Russell treat the statement “Homer exists”?

A: If “Homer” is a proper name, it's either tautologous or meaningless unless turned into a description.

Q: What is intentionality in philosophy of mind?

A: The mind’s capacity to be about or represent things.

Q: What is the problem of qualia?

A: Materialist theories struggle to explain subjective experience (e.g., what red looks like).

Q: What does the identity theory claim?

A: Each mental state is identical to a specific brain state.

Q: What does functionalism say about mental states?

A: Mental states are defined by their functional roles within a system.

Q: How does Russell’s ontology reduce numbers?

A: Numbers → classes → attributes → particulars.

1. What is 'Dasein' in Heidegger’s philosophy?
A. Rational essence
B. Detached observer
C. Human being-in-the-world
D. Pure consciousness

C. Human being-in-the-world

2. Heidegger's concept of aletheia refers to:
A. Logical clarity
B. Sensory data
C. Truth as unconcealment
D. Truth as correspondence

C. Truth as unconcealment

3. What is das Man?
A. A divine being
B. Public, impersonal way of being
C. Authentic individuality
D. Formal logic

B. Public, impersonal way of being

4. Bacigalupo argues that existence is:
A. A primary predicate
B. A property of objects
C. A second-order concept
D. Equivalent to identity

C. A second-order concept

5. The Fregean criterion for being a property is that:
A. It is subjective
B. It describes mental states
C. It divides the domain of objects
D. It depends on perception

C. It divides the domain of objects

6. The a-strategy claims that:
A. Existence is meaningless
B. Only particulars exist
C. Everything exists
D. Nothing exists

C. Everything exists

7. According to the b-strategy, existence:
A. Applies to individuals
B. Is an illusion
C. Is a property of predicates
D. Requires empirical proof

C. Is a property of predicates

8. Mumford allows negative facts only if:
A. They are easy to describe
B. They are logically required
C. They refer to space
D. They are publicly affirmed

B. They are logically required

9. Causal absences, in Mumford's view, are best seen as:
A. Nonexistent agents
B. Pseudo-events
C. Counterfactual explanations
D. Mystical forces

C. Counterfactual explanations

10. Russell’s theory of definite descriptions:
A. Uses non-referring names
B. Converts names into symbolic logic
C. Asserts metaphysical essence
D. Denies logical analysis

B. Converts names into symbolic logic

11. Which of these is a logically proper name, according to Russell?
A. Zeus
B. Ronald Reagan
C. This
D. Pegasus

C. This

12. What does Russell call entities like “the average plumber”?
A. Abstract objects
B. Empty names
C. Logical fictions
D. Real referents

C. Logical fictions

13. In Russell’s logic, “Lions exist” becomes:
A. x = lion
B. There exists a lion
C. ∃x (x is a lion)
D. All lions exist

C. 3x (x is a lion)

14. Russell reduces real numbers to:
A. Particulars
B. Classes of classes
C. Functions
D. Axioms

B. Classes of classes

15. Quine’s famous ontological slogan is:
A. Existence is identity
B. What exists is knowable
C. To be is to be the value of a variable
D. Being is unity

C. To be is to be the value of a variable

16. In the substitution interpretation, quantification:
A. Refers to universals
B. Depends on counterfactuals
C. Is verified by naming
D. Denies existence

C. Is verified by naming

17. The range interpretation assumes:
A. A proper name
B. A specified domain
C. A metaphysical entity
D. A mystical referent

B. A specified domain

18. The primary criticism of the range interpretation is:
A. It uses paradox
B. It is based on theology
C. It presupposes existence
D. It allows fictional entities

C. It presupposes existence

19. Russell defines existence as:
A. A metaphysical form
B. Identity in logic
C. A property of functions
D. Membership in the spatio-temporal-causal system

D. Membership in the spatio-temporal-causal system

20. What does empiricism contribute to the definition of existence?
A. Subjectivity
B. Private meaning
C. Causal interaction as a criterion
D. Divine reference

C. Causal interaction as a criterion

21. Russell treats “Homer exists” as meaningful only if:
A. Homer is a legend
B. It uses a logical name
C. It is paraphrased as a quantified statement
D. It expresses belief

C. It is paraphrased as a quantified statement

22. Functionalism defines mental states by:
A. Their location in the brain
B. Their behavior
C. Their causal roles
D. Their metaphysical identity

C. Their causal roles

23. Rachels' critique of materialism includes:
A. Behaviorism is always valid
B. Identity theory solves all problems
C. Qualia and intentionality are unexplained
D. Descartes was wrong

C. Qualia and internationality are unexplained

24. According to Mumford, absences cannot:
A. Be ignored
B. Be explained
C. Exist as causal agents
D. Be visualized

C. Exist as causal agents

25. In logic, what does ∃ mean?
A. All x
B. There exists at least one x
C. Not x
D. Identity with x

B. There exists at least one x

26. Russell’s view of proper names implies:
A. All names refer directly
B. Most names are disguised descriptions
C. All names are fictional
D. Names can exist without objects

B. Most names are disguised descriptions

27. What is a contextual definition?
A. A metaphysical term
B. A formal structure
C. A way to define symbols only in sentence context
D. A general rule

C. A way to define symbols only in sentence context

28. Which statement is consistent with Quine’s view?
A. Zeus exists in mythology
B. To be is to be thought
C. Only values of variables are real
D. Everything conceivable exists

C. Only values of variables are real

29. In empiricism, what defines the form of the world?
A. Belief
B. Causation and space-time structure
C. Divine ideas
D. Mental categories

B. Causation and space-time structure

30. Kant says real things are:
A. Subjective phenomena
B. Given through pure reason
C. Bound to the material conditions of experience
D. Intuited directly

C. bound to the material conditions of experience

31. Peirce defined existence as:
A. Abstract thought
B. Social utility
C. Real action upon other things
D. Logical necessity

C. Real action upon other things

32. A major weakness in substitution interpretation is:
A. It lacks syntax
B. Not all things have names
C. It uses modal logic
D. It is non-verifiable

B. Not all things have names

33. What’s true of logical fictions?
A. They are real entities
B. They refer to abstract substance
C. They simplify statements by eliminating referents
D. They denote possible worlds

C. They simplify statements by eliminating referents

34. Russell's theory helps clarify sentences like:
A. “Zeus is angry”
B. “The present king of France is bald”
C. “Blue is a color”
D. “God exists”

B. “The present king of France is bald”

35. What does “qualia” refer to?
A. Functional roles
B. Logic symbols
C. Subjective experiences
D. Brain patterns

C. Subjective experiences

36. Intentionality is the:
A. Action plan
B. Aboutness of thought
C. Neural basis
D. Causal closure

B. Aboutness of thought

37. What role do logical constructions play in ontology?
A. They increase complexity
B. They reduce talk of fictitious entities
C. They describe metaphysical realism
D. They replace logic with intuition

B. They reduce talk of fictitious entities

38. Which philosopher emphasized “negative facts”?
A. Aristotle
B. Frege
C. Mumford
D. Russell

C. Mumford

39. Russell’s lectures on logical atomism emphasized:
A. Classes are fundamental
B. Only particulars exist
C. Universals precede individuals
D. Sensory data is unreliable

B. Only particulars exist