Phil 101 Midterm

Which of the following are Hume's criticisms of the design argument?

- Either all complex and functional things need a designer or not all do. If all do, then God needs a designer. If not all do, then we lose our reason for thinking the universe needs one. Therefore, either God needs a designer, or we lose our reason for thinking the universe needs one. - There are many causes of complex, functional things found in nature (e.g., instinct, reproduction, internal principles of order, trial-and-error processes, intelligence). So it's special pleading to think intelligence is the ultimate cause of such order, and not one or more of these other causes. - The analogy between human artifacts and the universe is too weak to infer that the latter, like the former, is designed. - Even if the argument shows the universe is designed, it doesn't follow that the designer is the God of a revealed religion. For example, it wouldn't show that the designer is all-knowing, all-powerful, an immaterial spirit, or even that the designer still exists.

Which is part of the Basic Argument Against Freedom and Responsibility?

- Either determinism is true or indeterminism is true. - If determinism is true, then we're not free or responsible. - If indeterminism is true, then we're not free or responsible. - We're not free or responsible.

Which of the following is a criticism of the cosmological argument?

- Everything in the universe could have an explanation for its existence even if everything in the universe is a dependent being. - Every object is such that we can imagine it failing to exist. But by definition, no being that could fail to exist is a necessary being. Therefore, there are no necessary beings. - Even if the argument shows that a necessary being exists, it doesn't follow that the necessary being is God. Perhaps matter is a necessary being. Or perhaps the necessary being isn't all-knowing, or all-powerful, or morally perfect.

Which of the following is part of the reasoning in support of premise 1 of the problem of evil?

- If God is all-knowing and all-powerful, then he is able to prevent evil. - If God is perfectly good, then he is willing to prevent evil. - If God is willing and able to prevent evil, then evil does not exist.

Which of the following are criticisms of the Free Will Response?

- If God's free, then it's possible to free and never do evil; but if God's not free, then free will isn't one of the best goods. - If there's freedom in heaven, then it's possible to be free and never do evil; but if there's no freedom in heaven, then free will isn't one of the best goods. - The good of free will doesn't outweigh the bad of all the evil in the world. - Even if free will justifies moral evil, it doesn't justify natural evil.

Which of the following is a part of the problem of evil argument?

- If an all-knowing, all-powerful, perfectly good God exists, then evil does not exist. - It's not the case that evil doesn't exist. - An all-knowing, all-powerful, perfectly good God does not exist

Which of the following is/part of the reasoning in support of premise 1 of the cosmological argument?

- If everything were a dependent being, then some things would have no explanation. - The principle of sufficient reason implies that everything whatsoever has an explanation.

According to Paley, what features of an object indicate that it was designed?

- It's complex. - Its parts work together to perform a function.

According to our readings and other material, why might one think knowledge is important?

- Knowledge is power: knowledge ensures that our beliefs match up with reality. This allows us to tailor our actions accordingly, and to explain and predict nature and events in our lives. - Knowledge is required for human flourishing: Virtually all other species merely act on instinct or respond to stimuli. Our capacity to know things thus distinguishes us from the majority of living things; it's a distinctively human activity. So to the extent that exercising one's capacities is required for flourishing, knowledge contributes to human flourishing. - Knowledge is intrinsically valuable: Knowing the nature of reality and how the world works is pleasurable -- even exhilarating!

Which of the following are components of the Traditional Analysis of Knowledge? S knows that P if and only if:

- P is true. - S believes that P is true. - S is justified in believing that P is true.

Which of the following statements are a part of Swinburne's Free Will and/or Soul-Making responses to the problem of evil?

- Significant freedom and/or responsibility requires the ability to shape one's character. - Significant freedom and/or responsibility involves a strong inclination to do what is wrong. - Significant freedom requires that God doesn't know what we will do in advance.

Which of the following is Paley's design argument?

1. Human artifacts are intelligently designed. 2. Living organisms and their parts resemble human artifacts. 3. Therefore, living organisms and their parts are intelligently designed.

Which of the following is the necessary being cosmological argument?

1. If the universe is a dependent being, then a necessary being exists. 2. The universe is a dependent being. ------------------------------------------------------- 3. Therefore, a necessary being exists.

Which of the following is the cosmological argument?

1. If the universe is a dependent being, then a necessary being exists. 2. The universe is a dependent being. 3. Therefore, a necessary being exists.

Consider the following argument: 1. Evolution is true or God exists. 2. Evolution is true. ------------------------------------ 3. Therefore, God doesn't exist. Which of the following is a correct symbolization of the argument?

1. P v Q 2. P ------------ 3. ~Q

According to Unit 1, an argument is:

A series of claims offered in support of another claim.

Consider the following argument: 1. If I study hard, then I'll graduate. 2. If I graduate, then I'll get the job I want. ------------------------------------------------ 3. Therefore, if I study hard, then I'll get the job I want. This argument is:

A valid hypothetical syllogism argument

Consider the following argument: 1. If Sue loves Steve, then Steve's happy. 2. Sue loves Steve. ---------------------------------------- 3. Therefore, Steve's happy. This argument is:

A valid modus ponens argument.

Consider the following argument: 1. If Felipe's cat speaks English, then Felipe's rich. 2. Felipe's not rich. ------------------------------------------- 3. Therefore, Felipe's cat does not speak English. This argument is:

A valid modus tollens argument.

Consider the following argument: 1. Evolution is true or God exists. 2. Evolution is true. ---------------------------------- 3. Therefore, God doesn't exist. What is its argument form?

Affirming a Disjunct

Which of the following best expresses the Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR)?

All beings have an explanation, either in terms of one or more other beings, or in terms of their own inner nature.

Which of the following is a criticism of the necessary being cosmological argument?

All of the above - If PSR is true, then if God exists, then there must be a sufficient reason for why God created the universe. But if so, then it was necessary for God to create this universe. But if so, then this universe is a necessary being, which contradicts the argument's premise that the universe is a dependent being. - If PSR is true, then no one has free will (since then there is a complete sufficient reason for why we do all the things we do). But if you have reason to think we have free will, then you have a reason to reject PSR. - If there are an infinite number of dependent beings in the universe, and each such being is explained by another dependent being in the universe, then everything in the universe can be explained without every having to appeal to a necessary being. But if so, then a key premise of the cosmological argument is false (namely, then one that says that if the universe is a dependent being, then a necessary being must exist to explain it). - Even if the argument proves that a necessary being exists, it doesn't follow that the necessary being is the god of theism (all-knowing, all-powerful, morally perfect, etc.).

Which of the following statements are a part of what we labeled the Basic Argument Against Freedom and Responsibility?

All of the above - If determinism is true, then we're not free or responsible for our actions. - If indeterminism is true, then we're not free or responsible for our actions. - Either determinism or indeterminism is true. - We're not free or responsible for our actions.

Which of the following was offered as evidence for premise 2 of the necessary being cosmological argument?

All of the above - We perceive things coming to be and passing away. But only dependent beings can come to be and pass away. - We can imagine things within the universe, and even the universe as a whole, failing to exist. But since what we can imagine is evidence of what is metaphysically possible, it's possible for the universe to pass away. But only dependent beings can pass away.

As we expressed it, which of the following is premise or a conclusion of Paley's design argument?

All of the above. - Human are intelligently designed. - Living organisms (and their parts) resemble human artifacts. - Living organisms are (probably) intelligently designed.

Some criticize the Free Will Response to the problem of evil, claiming that:

All of the above. - If God's free, then it's possible to free and never do evil; and if God's not free, then free will must not be one of the greatest goods. - If there's freedom in heaven, then it's possible to be free and never do evil; if there's no freedom in heaven, then free will isn't one of the greatest goods. - The good of free will doesn't outweigh all the evil in the world. - Even if free will justifies moral evil, it doesn't justify natural evil.

Why does Clifford think it's wrong to believe something without good evidence?

All of the above. - It makes you gullible. - It's to be reckless with the lives of others. - It can corrupt the stock of public beliefs, thereby making others liable to acting on a false, harmful beliefs. - It can help lower the standards of evidence in one's community, which can lead us back to savagery and superstition.

In "Alternative Possibilities and Moral Responsibility", Harry Frankfurt aims to show that:

All of the above. - The Principle of Alternative Possibilities (PAP) is false. - It's possible to be free even when we were unable to do otherwise. - Determinism is compatible with moral responsibility.

What are some practical and/or theoretical benefits of the critical thinking associated with philosophy we discussed?

All of the above. - The ability to think critically increases one's ability to make good decisions. - The ability to think critically enhances your autonomy - The ability to think critically provides one with a kind of intellectual self-defense. - The ability to think critically is essential to a healthy democracy.

Which of the following must be true of sound arguments?

All of the above. - Their premises are true. - If their premises are true, then their conclusions must be true. - Their conclusions are true. - They're deductive arguments.

Which of the following is a premise or conclusion in the problem of evil argument?

All of the above. - it's not the case that an all-powerful, all-knowing, perfectly good God exists. - If an all-knowing, all-powerful, perfectly good God exists, then evil does not exist. - It's not the case that evil doesn't exist.

Which of the following must be true of a cogent argument?

All of the following: - Its premises are true. - If it's premises are true, then it's conclusion is more probable than not. - It's a sound argument.

Consider the following argument: 1. The fetus is a person or abortion is morally permissible. 2. The fetus is a person. ------------------------------------------ 3. Therefore, abortion is not morally permissible. This argument is:

An invalid affirming a disjunct argument.

Consider the following argument: 1. If there is a hell, then God exists. 2. God exists. -------------------------------------------- 3. Therefore, there is a hell. This argument is:

An invalid affirming the consequent argument.

Consider the following argument: 1. If God exists, then stealing is wrong. 2. God doesn't exist. ---------------------------------------- 3. Therefore, stealing is not wrong. This argument is:

An invalid denying the antecedent argument.

According to your notes and readings on freedom, determinism, and responsibility, libertarianism is the view that:

Being free and responsible is incompatible with determinism, but determinism is false.

According to Paley, what features of a thing indicate that it was designed?

Both of the following: - It has several parts. - Its parts work together to perform a function.

Which of the following must be true of a valid argument?

Both of the following: - It's a deductive argument. - If its premises are true, then its conclusion must be true.

Hard determinism is the view that:

Determinism is true, and determinism is incompatible with being free and responsible.

Soft determinism is the view that:

Determinism is true, but determinism is compatible with being free and responsible.

The question, "How do you know you're not in the Matrix?" is a question answered in which of the following branches of philosophy?

Epistemology

Match each quote to one of Hume's criticisms of the design argument. ". . . Furthermore . . .men are mortal, and renew their species by generation, and so do all living creatures. The two great sexes of male and female, says Milton, animate the world. Why shouldn't this universal and essential feature of our condition also apply to those numerous and limited gods that I am saying you should argue for?"

Even if it worked

According to the traditional analysis of knowledge, having really good evidence for a belief is enough to know it.

False

According to the traditional analysis of knowledge, if your belief is true, then you know it.

False

According to the traditional analysis of knowledge, you can know something that turns out to be false.

False

As used in philosophy, an argument is a disagreement.

False

Frankfurt counterexamples aim to show that moral responsibility require the ability to do otherwise.

False

Paley's design argument is a deductive argument.

False

According to our readings and other materials, which of the following are Gettier counterexamples to the traditional analysis of knowledge?

Ford, Ten Coins, Stopped cock cases

Which of the following is offered as evidence for premise 1 of the necessary being cosmological argument?

If everything were a dependent being, then at least some things would be left unexplained (e.g., why dependent beings exist at all, rather than just nothing, or rather than another collection of dependent beings). But PSR says that's impossible: everything has an explanation for why it exists.

Which of the following must be true of a strong inductive argument?

If its premises turn out to be true, then it's conclusion is more probable than not.

An argument is deductively valid if and only if:

It's logically impossible for the conclusion to be false if the premises are true.

In "Human Freedom and the Self", Roderick Chisholm aims to justify which position on free will?

Libertarianism

The problem of evil has which argument form?

Modus Tollens

The cosmological argument has which form?

Modus ponens

The problem of evil has which of the following argument forms?

Modus tollens

In which of the following writings does Plato state the traditional analysis of knowledge?

Thaetetus

What do Gettier's counterexamples aim to show?

That one can have a justified true belief that isn't knowledge, in which case knowledge isn't mere justified true belief.

According to our readings and other materials, knowing something requires good evidence, because otherwise knowledge wouldn't be distinguishable from lucky guessing.

True

According to the traditional analysis of knowledge, knowing something requires believing it.

True

The cosmological argument is valid.

True

The heart of a Gettier counterexample is a scenario where a person has has an accidentally justified true belief.

True

The necessary being version of the cosmological argument is valid.

True

The problem of evil argument is valid.

True

The problem of evil is a valid argument.

True

Which of the following is evidence in support of premise 2 of the cosmological argument?

We observe things in the universe coming to be and passing away. But only dependent beings can come to be or pass away.

Match each quote to one of Hume's criticisms of the design argument. ". . .your system . . .confronts us with another question, concerning the cause of the mental world that you see as causing the material world—·that is, the cause of God's plan. How can we satisfy ourselves about that? Haven't we the same reason to see that mental world as caused by another mental world, or new force of thinking? But if we stop there, ·refusing to raise the question about the cause of God's plan·, why do we go as far as God's plan? Why not stop at the material world? How can we satisfy ourselves without going on to infinity?

Who designed the designer

A brute fact is:

a being whose existence has no explanation whatsoever.

A necessary being is:

a being whose existence is explained in terms of its own inner nature.

A dependent being is

a being whose existence is explained in terms of one or more other beings.

An argument is:

a series of claims (or evidence) offered in support of another claim.

As we presented it, Paley's design argument is:

an argument by analogy

Match each quote to one of Hume's criticisms of the design argument. ". . .To say: The world arose by vegetation from a seed shed by another world. is not less intelligible, or less in harmony with experience, than to say: The world arose from a divine reason or plan."

design mimickers

A deductive argument aims to show that its conclusion is probably true.

false

An inductive argument aims to show that its conclusion must be true.

false

As we expressed Paley's design argument, it is deductive.

false

Deductive arguments aim to show that their conclusions are probably true.

false

Necessary being versions of the cosmological argument aim to show that the universe had a beginning, and that the beginning of the universe was caused by God.

false

The following argument is valid: 1. Evolution is true or God exists. 2. Evolution is true. --------------------------------- 3. Therefore, God doesn't exist.

false

According to our readings and notes, determinism poses a challenge to our free will and moral responsibility because:

it rules out the ability to do otherwise.

The question, "Is there a god?" is a question investigated in which branch of philosophy?

metaphysics

According to our readings and other materials, indeterminism is supposed to be a threat to our free will and moral responsibility because:

our actions would then be random and uncaused.

Indeterminism is the view that:

the past and the laws of nature allow for more than one possible future.

Metaphysics is:

the study of the fundamental nature and structure of reality.

Epistemology is:

the study of the nature of knowledge and related subjects.

Determinism is the view that:

the view that the past plus the laws of nature entail exactly one future.

Inductive arguments aim to show that their conclusions are probably true.

true

W.K. Clifford argued that it's never permissible to believe something without sufficient evidence.

true

Match each quote to one of Hume's criticisms of the design argument. "If we see a house, Cleanthes, we conclude with the greatest certainty that it had an architect or builder; because this is precisely the kind of effect that we have experienced as coming from that kind of cause. But surely you won't say that the universe is so like a house that we can with the same certainty infer a similar cause, or that the analogy is here entire and perfect. The unlikeness in this case is so striking that the most you can offer ·on the basis of it is a guess, a conjecture, a presumption about a similar cause; and I leave it to you to consider how that offering will be received in the world!"

weak analogy