Is metaphysics synonymous with ontology?

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J. B. Atken
John Knox PCA
Layman, M.A. student at Louisiana College

Isn't ontology a subset of metaphysics? That is, ontology (study of essence or being) is basic to metaphysics, but so is the study of principles and epistemology.

Somewhere I remember the three basic fields of metaphysics as being ontology, theology, and science.

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R.Vic Bottomly
Providence Reformed Baptist Church, Tacoma, WA

Metaphysics is the study of the nature of reality so ontology would be a subset of metaphysics.

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Curt Hayashida
member, Community Bible Church (Non-denominational)
Vallejo, CA