The study of reality in the broadest sense, an inquiry into the elemental nature of the universe and the things in it, is known as _____.

The study of reality in the broadest sense, focusing on the elemental nature of the universe and its components, is known as metaphysics. This branch of philosophy deals with questions concerning existence, the nature of objects, and the properties of reality. It encompasses a wide range of inquiries, including the relationship between mind and matter, substance and attribute, fact and value, and potentiality and actuality.

Metaphysics addresses foundational themes such as the nature of being and the world beyond the physical, leading to discussions about time, space, causality, and possibility. Philosophers like Aristotle and Kant have significantly contributed to this field, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of reality. Essentially, metaphysics is concerned with what lies beyond the empirical and the observable.