PHIL 1301 EXAM 1: Quizzes

Towards the end of the second meditation there is a famous passage in which Descartes describes an object and the way it changes. It's a confusing passage in which he's emphasizing that the existence of the mind is more obvious than the existence of bodies, and that what can be known can only be known through the mind. What's the object he describes? - An apple. - A piece of wax. - A clock. - A ball of clay

A piece of wax.

What are Socrates' last words? - A reminder that the unexamined life is not worth living. - A plea to Simmias to take care of his family. - A witty comment about the nature of the soul. - A request to Crito to sacrifice a chicken.

A request to Crito to sacrifice a chicken.

Most of the dialogue involves an attempt to define piety. Which of the following is NOT among the definitions that Euthyphro offers? - Doing what I (Euthyphro) am doing, prosecuting wrong. - That which is loved by the gods. - Acting in accord with the best interests of the community. - Attention to the gods.

Acting in accord with the best interests of the community.

Which of the following is a true statement about Aristotle's life according to the reading? - Aristotle spent his entire life studying and teaching at the school Plato started, the Academy. - Like Plato, Aristotle wrote primarily dialogues focusing almost exclusively on issues of ethics and political theory. - Like many philosophers, Aristotle had no wife or children, and spent his entire life devoted to writing and teaching. - After studying with Plato for 20 years, Aristotle spent 5 years as a tutor to a young Alexander (the Great), and started his own school in Athens called the Lyceum.

After studying with Plato for 20 years, Aristotle spent 5 years as a tutor to a young Alexander (the Great), and started his own school in Athens called the Lyceum.

Aristotle rejected Plato's doctrine of the forms, the belief that what is ultimately real is a realm of pure essences that is beyond our experience. Which of the following is Not one of the reasons mentioned in section 4 of the reading? - Forms are powerless to explain the changes of things that we experience. (The forms are eternal and changeless, but our experience is characterized by constant turmoil. Calling our experience illusory isn't enough. We need an explanation of the world as we encounter it, and the forms don't offer that.) - Forms don't explain how we can have knowledge of particular objects. (Plato suggests that all true knowledge is like mathematical knowledge, it requires familiarity with the underlying abstract concepts. But in our experience we also need familiarity with particular examples of the forms. It's not enough to know the essence of game, you also have to know the details of each game you want to play. For instance, you have to know the rules of Monopoly and of Chess. The details of each game aren't part of the forms themselves so the forms can't explain how we can know these details. - Similar to the previous point, forms don't explain how particular objects can come into existence. (Plato offers no explanation of how our imperfect and ever-changing reality is produced by the perfect and unchanging realm of the forms.) - All of the above are mentioned.

All of the above are mentioned.

Which of the following is the best reconstruction of Paley's argument? (Hint: This is a teleological argument, and teleology is about purpose. The argument goes from the recognition of purpose in the world, to the conclusion that God exists.) - All things like watches have a designer. All things with a designer have a purpose. Nature has a designer. Therefore nature has a purpose. - All things like watches have a purpose. All things with a purpose have a designer. Nature is like a watch. Therefore nature has a designer. - All things like watches have a purpose. All things with a purpose have a designer. Nature is like a watch. Therefore nature has a purpose. - All things like watches have a designer. All things with a designer have a purpose. Nature has a purpose. Therefore nature is like a watch.

All things like watches have a purpose. All things with a purpose have a designer. Nature is like a watch. Therefore nature has a designer.

What is theodicy? - Any argument asserting the incompatibility of God and evil. - An attempt to reconcile the existence of God with the existence of evil. - A myth or story that explains the necessity of evil allegorically. - A spiritual journey undertaken in order to overcome moral evil, or sin.

An attempt to reconcile the existence of God with the existence of evil.

Which of the following is NOT a true statement based on the reading? - Aristotle asserts that art and music are the most important occupations for humans because the purpose of humanity is to bring new forms into existence. - Aristotle addresses the paradoxes of Zeno by asserting that space and time are only potentially divisible to infinity; they are not actually divisible to infinity. - Aristotle believes that body and soul are connected in a way like wax and an impression stamped upon it. - Aristotle believes that God is the original source of all movement, but is himself unmoved by anything else, existing as pure, eternal contemplation.

Aristotle asserts that art and music are the most important occupations for humans because the purpose of humanity is to bring new forms into existence.

Which of the following is a true statement about Aristotle's political views? - Like Plato, he rejects government by the masses; he believes that the best form of government requires a philosopher king. - Unlike Plato, Aristotle believes that a healthy democracy is the only justified system of government. - Aristotle takes a middle road, arguing that the best form of government is an oligarchy, rule by a council of educated citizens. - Aristotle suggests that speaking abstractly, Plato is correct, the best government would be monarchy. But given that in reality there are few truly qualified individuals, a constitutional republic is likely the best option.

Aristotle suggests that speaking abstractly, Plato is correct, the best government would be monarchy. But given that in reality there are few truly qualified individuals, a constitutional republic is likely the best option.

Having undermined faith in perception Hoffman makes a rather interesting claim about math and logic. What does he suggest? - Because math and logic are not necessarily susceptible to the pressures that produce inaccurate perceptions, they're more likely to be reliable. - Even math and logic are human constructions which don't likely correspond to reality. - Math and logic are very similar to taste and smell; they are deeply subjective. - Plato was right: Math and logic are the gateway to understanding the eternal and unchanging ultimate reality.

Because math and logic are not necessarily susceptible to the pressures that produce inaccurate perceptions, they're more likely to be reliable.

What's central to the two main theodicies discussed by John Hick? - Belief in the value of soul-building. - Belief that the amount of evil in existence is greater than necessary. - Belief in human free will. - Belief that human sin is inevitable.

Belief in human free will.

The first Noble Truth is that all of existence is dukkha. The second Noble Truth is that dukkha arises from within. What is the third Noble Truth? - Cessation of dukkha. - Celebration of dukkha. - The eight-fold path. - The ten-fold path.

Cessation of dukkha.

Which of the following is the best statement of Donald Hoffman's initial point. - Contrary to how it seems, looking at the world is not a passive activity. Our minds are actively working to construct our experience. - Contrary to how it seems, there is no reality outside of us. Our minds create everything. - Contrary to how it seems, we are not required to perceive reality in the way we do. With effort we can learn to change how we perceive reality. - Contrary to how it seems, we cannot claim to perceive reality as it is. Therefore, we cannot claim to know anything.

Contrary to how it seems, looking at the world is not a passive activity. Our minds are actively working to construct our experience.

Plato's Euthyphro is a dialogue between Socrates and a young priest named Euthyphro that supposedly takes place at the court in which Socrates is soon to be tried. Which of the following is among the charges that have been brought against Socrates? - Corruption of the youth. - Treason against Athens. - Disrespect of the god Apollo. Practicing sophism.

Corruption of the youth.

Which of the following claims does Socrates NOT make in explaining the Allegory of the Cave? - The prisoners in the cave have been there since childhood, unable to see anything but shadows. - The prisoners believe that the shadows before them are the reality of the world. - Prisoners will be reluctant to leave the cave, and will need time and effort to understand the world of light. - Even after a long time in the light prisoners will always yearn to return to the habits and customs they grew up with in the cave.

Even after a long time in the light prisoners will always yearn to return to the habits and customs they grew up with in the cave.

What is the main claim of the Irenaean theodicy? - Evil serves the purpose of soul-building. - Evil is the result of human action. - Evil is a punishment for sin. - Evil is the result of human ignorance and desire.

Evil serves the purpose of soul-building.

Donald Hoffman points out that contemporary psychologists and neurologists generally agree that the brain is actively involved in the construction of our experience. But they further believe that this construction is an accurate reconstruction of reality as it actually is. Hoffman claims that they believe this because they also have the following false belief: - There is no evidence that perception is mis-leading. - Evolution favors those creatures whose perceptions produce the most accurate models of reality. - God would not want us to be deceived by our perceptions, thus God would insure that our perceptions are reliable. - It's a mistake to distinguish perception and reality. However we perceive things, that's just what reality IS.

Evolution favors those creatures whose perceptions produce the most accurate models of reality.

Dukkha is a central concept in Buddhism. As the author, Walpola Rahula, points out it's often translated as "suffering." However, it really means something broader and more complex. The Buddha identifies three aspects or categories of dukkha. Which of the following is NOT among them? - Ordinary suffering. Pain and sadness and all the standard negative experiences and emotions are in this category. - Change. Change is always stressful, and the very fact that everything in the world is impermanent is a source of "suffering." - Expectation. Having expectations is a recipe for disappointment. This category includes all of the forms of "suffering" that we bring upon ourselves through our hopes and desires. - Conditioned States. Often translated as the dukkha of being or existence, this is the hardest to understand. It has to do with facing the facts of our existence as a constantly changing aggregate of processes.

Expectation. Having expectations is a recipe for disappointment. This category includes all of the forms of "suffering" that we bring upon ourselves through our hopes and desires.

Which of the following is NOT an element of the Augustinian theodicy? - God is not responsible for evil; it is the result of free human choices. - All evil is either sin or the punishment for sin. - God's initial creation was perfect, containing no evil. - God allows evil to exist as a challenge to humans.

God allows evil to exist as a challenge to humans.

According to Birsch, which of the following would be the best way to understand the claim that God is transcendent? - God exists outside of space and time. - God exists everywhere at the same time. - God is the same thing as existence itself. That is, God is everything, and everything is God. - God is constantly re-creating the world at every moment.

God exists outside of space and time.

In Part I of the reading by Daniel Birsch, we get a list of the traditional properties of God. Which of the following is NOT among them? - God is omnipotent. - God is omniscient. - God is omnipresent. - God is perfectly good. - God is unknowable. - God is spiritual. - God is eternal. - God is personal.

God is unknowable.

Descartes claims that all of his beliefs that are derived from the senses can be doubted. Which of the following is the main reason he gives for this claim? - He cannot be certain that he is not dreaming. - The senses are contaminated by impurities. - Information gathered by the senses requires interpretation. - He recently drank a lot of cheap wine.

He cannot be certain that he is not dreaming.

After questioning politicians, poets and craftsmen, Socrates determines that he is in fact the wisest of men. What leads him to believe this? - He discovers that unlike others he at least knows that he does not know anything. - He discovers that unlike others he is not motivated by money or power or fame, but only by his love of understanding. - By questioning others he has absorbed the knowledge of a vast diversity of people. - By questioning others he has discovered that every subject can be approached from multiple conflicting perspectives.

He discovers that unlike others he at least knows that he does not know anything.

René Descartes explains his purpose at the beginning of the reading. What is he trying to accomplish? - He's trying to demonstrate that humans cannot KNOW anything. - He's trying to prove that God exists. - He's trying to encourage readers to take philosophy seriously. - He's trying to establish a solid foundation for knowledge.

He's trying to establish a solid foundation for knowledge.

What is the origin of dukkha? - It's a result of conflict between human beings caused by their differing perceptions of reality. - It's created by evil Gods and spirits, such as Satan and Shiva. - It's a by-product of the clash between the physical and spiritual aspects of reality. - It's a result of our internal thirst and craving.

It's a result of our internal thirst and craving.

Which of the following fields of study is Aristotle given credit for creating? - Political theory - Astronomy - Logic - Ontology

Logic

Having been found guilty, his accusers recommend the death penalty. Which of the following is the punishment initially suggested by Socrates? - Exile to Crete or Sparta. - The creation of a holiday in his honor. - Maintenance in the Prytaneum. - A fine of one chicken.

Maintenance in the Prytaneum. (free food in the hall of public heroes)

There are several extraordinary claims made in Chapter 4. Which of the following is NOT among them? - The Absolute Truth is that there is nothing which is absolute. Everything is relative and impermanent. - Nirvana is no different than Samsara, it all depends on perspective. - Nirvana is the perception of the ultimate Reality or "Rädsara," a realm of perfect and unchanging forms. - Nirvana is beyond all dualities; good and evil, right and wrong, existence and non-existence. - Nirvana is beyond logic and reasoning. It cannot be understood through intellectual effort.

Nirvana is the perception of the ultimate Reality or "Rädsara," a realm of perfect and unchanging forms.

According to Walpola Rahula which of the following is an appropriate characterization of the attitude of Buddhism towards life? - Pessimistic and melancholy. - Optimistic and joyful, but somewhat naive. - Realistic, but light-hearted and joyful. - Demanding and ascetic.

Realistic, but light-hearted and joyful.

Enlightenment or Nirvana is the "ultimate purpose" of Buddhism. It's described in many ways. Which of the following is NOT among them? - The cessation of dukkha. - Absolute truth. - Blowing out. - Reincarnation. - Liberation. - Extinction of thirst.

Reincarnation.

Siddhartha Gautama was the founder of Buddhism. He lived in Northern India (present-day Nepal). During what century was he born? - Seventh century B.C.E (600's B.C.E.) - Sixth century B.C.E (500's B.C.E.) - Seventh century C.E (600's C.E.) - Sixth century C.E (500's C.E.)

Sixth century B.C.E (500's B.C.E.)

Socrates gives us a couple bits of biographical information scattered throughout the Apology. Which of the following is NOT among them? - Socrates is over 70 years old. - Socrates has three sons. - Socrates has traveled widely through Greece and Egypt. - Socrates is not financially wealthy.

Socrates has traveled widely through Greece and Egypt.

How does Socrates object to Euthyphro's suggestion that piety is acting like he is, prosecuting the wrong? - Socrates says that Euthyphro's behavior is not a good example of piety, because Euthyphro fails to show respect for his father. - Socrates says that Euthyphro's behavior is not a good example of piety, because many people would disagree that he is acting appropriately. - Socrates says that Euthyphro's behavior is not a good example of piety, because the gods would disagree that he is acting appropriately - Socrates says that this is merely an example of piety, but what he wants is a definition that identifies the general idea that distinguishes piety from impiety.

Socrates says that this is merely an example of piety, but what he wants is a definition that identifies the general idea that distinguishes piety from impiety.

The most famous part of this dialogue involves Socrates' reply to Euthyphro's suggestion that piety is what is loved by ALL the gods. How does Socrates reply? - Socrates points out that the gods often disagree. - Socrates questions whether the gods really exist. - Socrates suggests that things are loved by the gods because they are pious, they're not pious just because they are loved by the gods. - Socrates says that the gods cannot be trusted because they suffer from the same passions and irrational desires that humans do.

Socrates suggests that things are loved by the gods because they are pious, they're not pious just because they are loved by the gods.

In Meditation 2 Descartes discovers something that he cannot doubt. What is it? - That he knows absolutely nothing. - That he exists as a thinking thing. - That God exists. - That he has hands and a face.

That he exists as a thinking thing.

What does the Buddha say about the human soul or self? - As in Christianity and Islam, the Buddha says that the soul is an eternal spiritual entity, which migrates to heaven or hell after death. - As in Hinduism, the Buddha says that the soul is a spiritual entity that is reincarnated from one living form to another. - The Buddha says that there is no soul, nor even a self. - The Buddha says that the soul is made of plastic and aluminum foil.

The Buddha says that there is no soul, nor even a self.

According to the story that Socrates tells, who initially asserts that "No one is wiser than Socrates." - Meletus - Euthyphro - Plato - The Oracle at Delphi

The Oracle at Delphi (Chaeephon goes to ask the Oracle at Delphi)

Hoffman uses an analogy to help us understand his idea that reality is not like what we perceive. Which is it? - Plato's Allegory of the Cave. - The fact that people have different views about moral and political issues. - Descartes' Evil Genius hypothesis. - The fact that a computer interface is not an accurate depiction of the reality of the workings of the computer.

The fact that a computer interface is not an accurate depiction of the reality of the workings of the computer.

Which of the following claims would Hoffman agree with? - Since perceptions are not veridical it's not really necessary to take them seriously. Neither snakes nor speeding trains can REALLY harm us. - Since our perceptions are not trustworthy, and the sciences are fundamentally empirical we should abandon scientific investigation, and pursue knowledge through more spiritual means. - The fact that multiple people have the same perceptions of some experience is strong evidence that the perceptions are accurate. - The function of perception is to produce kids, not to accurately depict the nature of reality.

The function of perception is to produce kids, not to accurately depict the nature of reality. (reproduce)

How does Socrates define death in the Phaedo? - A brief nap before we are reawakened in a new form. - An eternal dreamless sleep. - The separation of the soul from the body. - A journey into the realm of gods and heroes.

The separation of the soul from the body.

Descartes claims that he has some beliefs which do not derive from the senses, such as the belief that "two and three together always form five," and "squares can never have more than four sides." Nonetheless, Descartes casts doubt even upon these beliefs. Which of the following is the worry he raises? - Beliefs that are expressed in language are always subject to misunderstanding. - Abstract ideas are not grounded in experience, and thus they cannot be confirmed. - The human intellect is finite, and thus capable of error. - There may exist an all-powerful evil being who deceives him.

There may exist an all-powerful evil being who deceives him.

Why does Socrates claim that philosophers actually desire death? - They long for the purity of knowledge that separation from the body will allow. - They are exhausted by the trials and tribulations of the physical world. - They yearn to meet the thinkers and heroes who have come before them. - They yearn to meet the gods face to face.

They long for the purity of knowledge that separation from the body will allow.

Aquinas offers five proofs for the existence of God, often called the Five Ways. Which of the following is the best summary of the proof from motion? - Things in the world move, and everything that moves has to be moved by something else. But there cannot be an infinite chain of movers, so there must be a first mover, namely God. - Things in the world move, and everything that moves brings about subsequent motion in other things. But there cannot be an infinite chain of movers, so there must be a final mover, who "absorbs" as it were the motion of all other things, namely God. - Some things move faster than other things. But there must be something which moves the fastest. The thing which is fastest is God. - If there was no God, existence would have no purpose. If there was no purpose there would be no reason for motion (or change) of any kind. But there obviously is motion in the world, so there must be a purpose, so there must be a God.

Things in the world move, and everything that moves has to be moved by something else. But there cannot be an infinite chain of movers, so there must be a first mover, namely God.

Why is Euthyphro at the court? - To defend his father against a charge of murdering a servant. - To charge his father with the murder of a servant. - To charge a servant with the murder of his father. - To defend a servant against the charge of murdering his father.

To charge his father with the murder of a servant.

Which of the following is NOT an objection to the Irenaean theodicy? - Considering events like the Holocaust, and the fact that innocent children die from disease and starvation, there seems to be much more evil in the world than ought to be necessary for soul building. - Even if this theodicy explains human suffering, it does nothing to explain animal suffering. - If God wants free beings with perfected souls, then if he's truly ALL-POWERFUL, he ought to be able to create them that way from the beginning. - To understand evil we should think of God as a parent. If parents protect their children from every danger, then the children don't acquire the skills to protect themselves.

To understand evil we should think of God as a parent. If parents protect their children from every danger, then the children don't acquire the skills to protect themselves.

Which of the following is NOT one of the fundamental differences between traditional Buddhism and the major Western religions; Judaism, Christianity and Islam? - Traditional Buddhists do not believe in a God. - Traditional Buddhists do not believe that humans have souls. - Traditional Buddhists do not believe that humans should be ethical. - Traditional Buddhists do not believe that there is an afterlife.

Traditional Buddhists do not believe that humans should be ethical.

William Paley claims that if we were to find a watch on the ground we would immediately know that it must have had a designer. Which of the following is his main reason for saying this? - We would see that the watch has a purpose. - We would see that the watch is in motion. - We would see that the watch contains information. - We would find an identifying mark from the craftsman who made it on the back cover.

We would see that the watch has a purpose.

Which of the following is NOT a reasonable idea to attribute to Plato as part of the meaning of the Allegory of the Cave? - The goal of philosophy is to throw off the shackles of the physical world, and bask in the light of intellectual truth. - The world of experience is a realm of shadows and illusions, and most people have no idea about the true nature of reality. - When one discovers the truth it's best to keep it to oneself and enjoy life in the sun. - Socrates was put to death because his countrymen, the ignorant prisoners in the cave, did not understand that he had seen the light.

When one discovers the truth it's best to keep it to oneself and enjoy life in the sun.

The Eight-fold Path encompasses practical advice about living a life that is conducive to enlightenment. According to the author of the text, what two characteristics is the Buddha chiefly concerned to develop? - Faith and cheerfulness. - Wisdom and compassion. - Understanding and tranquility. - Balance and simplicity.

Wisdom and compassion.

Complete this famous line: The unexamined life is... - un-philosophical. - un-human. - common and boring. - not worth living.

not worth living.