fbpx

KidsKonnect

Metaphysics Facts & Worksheets

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that explores the nature of reality, what exists, what things are made of, and why we exist.

Search for Worksheets

Worksheets / People / Philosopher / Metaphysics Facts & Worksheets

Premium
Not ready to purchase a subscription? Click to download the free sample version   Download sample

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that asks big questions about reality. It explores what is real, what things are made of, and why we exist. It also looks at time, space, objects, and whether things like the soul or free will exist.

See the fact file below for more information about Metaphysics, or you can download our 23-page worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Facts

HISTORY

  • Metaphysics is a big word coming from two Greek words: meta, meaning “beyond,” and physika, meaning “physical things.” So, metaphysics means “beyond the physical.” 
  • It’s a branch of philosophy that tries to understand what’s real—like time, space, existence, and even questions about the soul.
  • The word “metaphysics” became popular thanks to a Greek philosopher named Aristotle. Around 2,400 years ago, Aristotle wrote a group of books about nature and science.
  • The books that came after those were about more intellectual ideas—things that go beyond what we can see or touch. 
  • Later, editors called this set of books “Ta meta ta physika,” or “the ones after the physical ones,” That’s how the name stuck.
  • Metaphysics became one of the main parts of philosophy. During the Middle Ages, thinkers like Thomas Aquinas used it to explain the nature of God and the universe. 
  • Nowadays, philosophers still ask big metaphysical questions like “What is time?” and “Do we have free will?”
  • Understanding metaphysics helps us explore big mysteries and think deeply about the world and our place in it.

KEY THINKERS OF METAPHYSICS

  • Aristotle – One of the most famous ancient philosophers, Aristotle’s work on metaphysics laid the foundation for many modern ideas. 
  • He explored topics like being, existence, and the nature of reality in his book Metaphysics.
  • Plato – A student of Socrates, Plato believed that the physical world we see is just a shadow of a more perfect, unchanging world of ideas. 
  • He thought that true reality was beyond what we can touch and see.
  • René Descartes – A French philosopher known for his famous quote, “I think, therefore I am.” Descartes focused on the mind and body and how we can be sure of what is real, even if we can’t see or touch it.
  • Immanuel Kant – A German philosopher who argued that we can never truly know the world as it is, only how it appears to us. His ideas were key to the development of modern metaphysics and helped shape many later thinkers.
  • David Hume – A Scottish philosopher who focused on empiricism, skepticism about causality, the problem of induction, and the nature of the self, challenging traditional ideas and shaping modern philosophy.
  • Heidegger – A 20th-century German philosopher who explored the question of “being” and how humans relate to the world around them. His work focused on the experience of existence itself.

SCOPE OF METAPHYSICS

  • EXISTENCE: Metaphysics explores what it means to exist. It asks questions like: What does it mean for something to be real? How do we know something exists? This helps us understand the difference between what we can touch, see, and imagine. Philosophers try to figure out the nature of reality itself.
  • TIME AND SPACE: Time and space are also key questions in metaphysics. Is time real, or is it just something we made up to measure change? What about space—does it exist without objects? 
  • Philosophers ask: Can time travel happen? Is the universe infinite, or does it have an end? These questions explore the world beyond what we can see.
  • CAUSALITY: Metaphysics studies cause and effect. It asks: How do we know one thing causes another? For example, does the sun cause plants to grow? 
  • Philosophers like David Hume wondered if we can truly know that one event causes another or if it’s just a pattern we notice. It helps us think about how things happen.
  • THE SELF: Another part of metaphysics looks at the “self.” What makes you, you? Are we just our thoughts, feelings, and memories, or is there something deeper? 
  • Hume also believed that our identity is made up of many experiences and not just one permanent “self.” Metaphysics tries to figure out what truly defines who we are.

BRANCHES OF METAPHYSICS

  • ONTOLOGY
  • Ontology is the branch of metaphysics that studies existence. It asks important questions like: What kinds of things exist? What is the nature of being? 
  • For example, Is there such a thing as a ghost, or does only physical stuff, like trees and animals, really exist? Ontology helps us understand what it means for something to exist.
  • COSMOLOGY
  • Cosmology is the study of the universe and everything in it. Metaphysical cosmology asks questions like: How did the universe begin? What is the nature of space and time? Is the universe infinite? 
  • Philosophers explore whether the universe follows certain rules or if it’s random, helping us understand the world beyond Earth.
  • RELIGIOUS COSMOLOGY
  • It studies the universe and its creation according to different religions. It asks questions like: How did the world begin? What is the purpose of life? 
  • For example, in Christianity, God created the universe in seven days. Religious cosmology helps us understand how different faiths explain the origins and meaning of everything.
  • METAMETAPHYSICS
  • It is the study of metaphysics itself. It asks: What is metaphysics really about? How do we know if metaphysical questions like “What is real?” can be answered? 
  • It’s like thinking about thinking. 
  • Metametaphysics helps us figure out the limits of metaphysical ideas and whether we can truly understand things beyond what we experience.
  • NOETIC THEORY
  • It is the study of knowledge and understanding, especially the way we know things beyond our senses. It asks: Can we understand things with our minds alone, like ideas of love or truth? 
  • Noetic theory looks at how we can gain wisdom and knowledge through intuition or spiritual experiences, not just by seeing or touching things.

COMMON METAPHYSICAL PHILOSOPHIES

  • IDEALISM
  • Idealism is the belief that reality is mentally constructed, meaning the mind or ideas are the primary basis of existence. 
  • Famous philosophers like George Berkeley argued that everything exists because it is 
  • perceived by the mind. In this view, reality depends on our
  • thoughts and perceptions.
  • MATERIALISM
  • Materialism is the philosophy that everything in the universe, including thoughts and consciousness, is made of matter. 
  • It suggests that only physical things truly exist and everything can be explained by science and natural laws. This is a common view in science, as it emphasizes observable facts.
  • DUALISM
  • Dualism, made famous by René Descartes, suggests that reality includes two separate substances: the mind (or soul) and the body (physical matter). 
  • Dualists believe that mental and physical realms are distinct but interact with each other. This philosophy explores the relationship between mind and body.
  • PANPSYCHISM
  • Panpsychism is the idea that consciousness exists in all things, even in objects that are not alive. 
  • It suggests that everything, from rocks to trees, has some form of consciousness. This view challenges the idea that only humans and animals have minds.
  • EXISTENTIALISM
  • Existentialism focuses on individual freedom, choice, and the meaning of life. Philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus argued that humans create their own meaning and must navigate a world without inherent purpose. 
  • This philosophy emphasizes personal responsibility and the search for meaning in an often chaotic world.
  • SOLIPSISM
  • Solipsism is the idea that only one’s own mind and experiences can be known to exist. According to this philosophy, everything outside of the self (like other people and the world) might just be a product of the mind. Solipsism raises questions about reality and perception.
  • PRAGMATISM
  • Pragmatism focuses on the practical effects of ideas. Philosophers like William James argued that the truth of an idea is measured by how well it works in real life. 
  • This philosophy is often used to solve problems in both everyday life and scientific practice, emphasizing results over abstract reasoning.

Metaphysics Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Metaphysics across 23 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Metaphysics. Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that tries to understand what’s real—like time, space, existence, and even questions about the soul.

Metaphysics Worksheets
Metaphysics Worksheets
Metaphysics Worksheets

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Metaphysics Facts
  2. What is Real? Sorting Game
  3. Real or Constructed?
  4. Big Questions Board
  5. Identity Snapshots
  6. Mindful Debate
  7. Principles of Metaphysics: Causation
  8. Photographing Reality
  9. Identity vs. Difference
  10. I Chose It – But Did I?
  11. I am Me!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is metaphysics?

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that explores the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and the universe. It asks questions like: What is real? What does it mean to exist? Is there something beyond the physical world? It’s often described as “philosophy beyond physics,” diving into concepts that science alone can’t fully explain.

Why study metaphysics?

Studying metaphysics helps us reflect on life’s biggest questions—like the meaning of existence, the nature of consciousness, and whether free will exists. It encourages deep introspection and can lead to personal growth, spiritual insight, and a broader understanding of reality beyond material appearances.

Is reality objective or subjective?

This is a hot topic! Some metaphysical theories suggest reality is subjective, shaped by consciousness. Quantum mechanics and cognitive science support this view, showing that observation affects outcomes and perception may construct reality. Others argue for an objective reality that exists independently of observers.

What is the difference between metaphysics and science?

  • Science studies the physical world through observation and experimentation. Metaphysics, on the other hand, investigates what lies beyond the physical—like the nature of being, time, space, and causality. While science asks “how,” metaphysics asks “why.”

Does metaphysics involve spirituality or religion?

It can, but not necessarily. Metaphysics often overlaps with spiritual inquiry, exploring concepts like the soul, divine intelligence, and universal consciousness. However, it’s not tied to any specific religion and can be purely philosophical or secular depending on the approach.

References:

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

Link will appear as Metaphysics Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, July 23, 2025

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

Related Resources