Ancient Greek Philosophers - Unit 1 - CHALLENGE 3: Plato and Aristotle

Select the statement that does NOT represent a central epistemological tenet of Plato's doctrine of the Forms. a.)An essence is a physical entity that is the building block of every object in the universe. b.)Forms are the abstract universals in which all particulars participate. c.)The true nature of reality can only be uncovered by understanding the Forms. d.)Knowledge is a justified true belief in which justification is grounded in understanding the world as it really is.

a.)An essence is a physical entity that is the building block of every object in the universe.

Select the statement that best distinguishes Plato and Aristotle from one another in terms of their philosophical approaches. a.)Aristotle would say that if you wanted to learn the essence of a tree, you should study a tree. Plato would say that you should study the Form of a tree. b.)Aristotle would say that "A tree is a tree because it reflects the Form of a tree." Plato would say that "a tree is a tree because God made it a tree." c.)Plato would say that we should dissect the bark of a tree to learn its essence. Aristotle would say that we cannot truly know the essence of a tree. d.)Plato would say that we must have experiences with a tree to have knowledge of a tree. Aristotle would claim that we can have knowledge of a tree without having any experience with trees.

a.)Aristotle would say that if you wanted to learn the essence of a tree, you should study a tree. Plato would say that you should study the Form of a tree.

Harper is a philosophy major who is debating with her roommates about the nature of humanity. According to Plato, what makes Harper a human being, and not something else? a.)Harper participates in the Form of Human. b.)Harper has the ability to ground her knowledge in reality. c.)Harper has an informed opinion about what it means to be a human. d.)Harper understands the essence of humanity.

a.)Harper participates in the Form of Human.

All of the following are ways in which Plato has impacted history and society EXCEPT _____? a.)He advanced theoretical mathematics by proving that mathematical objects are theoretical objects, rather than real objects. b.)His metaphysical propositions have influenced thinkers in other disciplines, including theology. c.)His work encourages us to pursue activities which bring us closer to truth, and to avoid those which focus on appearance. d.)His Doctrine of the Forms and notion of essences have influenced modern philosophers who are interested in questions of epistemology and metaphysics.

a.)He advanced theoretical mathematics by proving that mathematical objects are theoretical objects, rather than real objects.

Which of the following is a way in which Plato has impacted history and society? a.)His work drew distinctions between important endeavors, including philosophy, and empty pursuits, including rhetoric. b.)He introduced a method of philosophical investigation that uses dialectic to uncover truth. c.)His doctrine of Permanence had a profound influence on later philosophers. d.)He was the first philosopher to study the biological and physical sciences in the way we study them today.

a.)His work drew distinctions between important endeavors, including philosophy, and empty pursuits, including rhetoric.

Select the option that accurately completes the statement below. Having wheels is a _______ condition for being a functioning car. a.)necessary, not sufficient b.)both necessary and sufficient c.)neither necessary nor sufficient d.)sufficient, not necessary

a.)necessary, not sufficient

Select the option that accurately completes the statement below. Being a bodybuilder is a _____ condition for being strong. a.)sufficient, not necessary b.)both necessary and sufficient c.)neither necessary nor sufficient d.)necessary, not sufficient

a.)sufficient, not necessary

There are many similarities and differences between Platonic and Aristotelian metaphysics. Select the statement about metaphysics with which both Plato and Aristotle would agree. a.)"To learn the essence of a human, we must examine individual humans and identify the features that make them human" b.)"I can only know the truth about justice if I understand the essence of justice." c.)"The best way to learn about mathematics is to use it in a real-world context." d.)"Letting our emotions guide our actions can help us to uncover the real truths of the world."

b.)"I can only know the truth about justice if I understand the essence of justice."

There are many similarities and differences between Platonic and Aristotelian metaphysics. Select the statement about metaphysics with which only Aristotle would agree. a.)"The essence of horses is a genuine entity." b.)"To learn the essence of flowers, we must examine individual flowers and identify their essential features." c.) "It is possible to uncover the truth and obtain knowledge about kindness." d.)"The laws of gravity are independent of matter."

b.)"To learn the essence of flowers, we must examine individual flowers and identify their essential features."

Select the statement that correctly distinguishes Plato and Aristotle from one another in terms of their philosophical approaches. a.)Aristotle believed that the abstract realm of the Forms was the ideal starting point for philosophical inquiry. Plato argued that worldly experience was the ideal starting point. b.)Aristotle believed that inquiry begins with the world experienced through the senses. Plato believed that inquiry begins in the metaphysical realm. c.)Aristotle ignored the work of other philosophers. Plato considered alternative viewpoints. d.)Plato is considered an empiricist, while Aristotle is categorized as a rationalist.

b.)Aristotle believed that inquiry begins with the world experienced through the senses. Plato believed that inquiry begins in the metaphysical realm.

Select the statement that correctly distinguishes Plato and Aristotle from one another in terms of their philosophical approaches. a.)Plato's approach to philosophy was concerned with the physical world. Aristotle was only concerned with the metaphysical world. b.)Plato took a mathematical approach to philosophy. Aristotle was more interested in the sciences, particularly biology and physics. c.)Aristotle believed that truth was independent of experience. Plato believed that truth was grounded in experience. d.)Plato would assert that those who want to learn about justice should start by studying just acts. Aristotle would argue that they should begin by examining the essence of justice.

b.)Plato took a mathematical approach to philosophy. Aristotle was more interested in the sciences, particularly biology and physics.

Bridget teaches a dog training class at her local animal shelter. She wants to provide the dog owners with some philosophical inspiration. According to Aristotle's metaphysics and ontology, what is true about the essence of a dog? a.)A dog is a non-human object and therefore has no essence. b.)The essence of dog can only exist in actual dogs and nowhere else. c.)The essence of a dog exists in Platonic Heaven. d.)Each dog has its own unique essence.

b.)The essence of dog can only exist in actual dogs and nowhere else.

Select the statement that does NOT represent a central metaphysical tenet of Plato's doctrine of the Forms. a.)All Forms exist in Platonic Heaven as ideal examples for their worldly counterparts. b.)The world of the senses is unchanging, but Platonic Heaven is in constant flux. c.)A butterfly is a butterfly because it participates in the Form of a butterfly. d.)It is the existence of the essence of Goodness that enables us to know examples of goodness in the world.

b.)The world of the senses is unchanging, but Platonic Heaven is in constant flux.

Select the option that accurately completes the statement below. Being a genius is a _____ condition for being a college student. a.)sufficient, not necessary b.)neither necessary nor sufficient c.)both necessary and sufficient d.)necessary, not sufficient

b.)neither necessary nor sufficient

There are many similarities and differences between Platonic and Aristotelian metaphysics. Select the statement regarding metaphysics with which both Plato and Aristotle would agree. a.)"Humanity exists only when humans exist." b.)"Without matter, the laws of physics would have nothing to act upon, and thus would cease to exist." c.)"Reasoning and logic are the ways in which we can obtain the truth." d.)"What makes an act "kind" is determined by the way in which society has defined the word "kind."

c.)"Reasoning and logic are the ways in which we can obtain the truth."

Select the statement that does NOT represent a central epistemological tenet of Plato's doctrine of the Forms. a.)Knowledge of the Forms enables one to understand the true nature of reality. b.)A belief becomes justified when it can be accurately connected to the world. c.)Having an opinion about something assumes that you also have knowledge about that thing. d.)Understanding the essence of a thing is the only way to justify having true knowledge of that thing.

c.)Having an opinion about something assumes that you also have knowledge about that thing.

Select the statement that represents a central metaphysical tenet of Plato's doctrine of the Forms. a.)Only a cause-and-effect aspect exists between an object and its Form. b.)The essence of an object exists only when a human invents its Form. c.)Individual objects participate in the Form of those objects. d.)The Form of an object is an imitation of the more genuine worldly object.

c.)Individual objects participate in the Form of those objects.

Bob was about to fall asleep in his philosophy class when, suddenly, the instructor held up a spoon and challenged the class to find its essence. According to Aristotle's metaphysics and ontology, what is true about the essence of a spoon? a.)"Spoon" is the particular, and "this spoon" is the universal. b.)The essence of a spoon exists, even if no spoons exist. c.)It is a kitchen utensil for serving and eating liquids. d.)The essence of a spoon, or of any other object, cannot be discovered by mortals.

c.)It is a kitchen utensil for serving and eating liquids.

Select the statement that represents a central epistemological tenet of Plato's doctrine of the Forms. a.)In philosophy, Forms play no role in determining what is morally right and wrong. b.)If humans cease to exist, so does the Form of knowledge. c.)Knowledge differs from opinion because knowledge requires one to be able to justify his or her beliefs. d.)Forms are entities that exist only in the natural world.

c.)Knowledge differs from opinion because knowledge requires one to be able to justify his or her beliefs.

Select the statement that represents a central metaphysical tenet of Plato's doctrine of the Forms. a.)A perfect circle exists in the world because the Form of a circle exists in the world. b.)When the Form of a tree changes, the tree that exists in the world will change along with it. c.)The Form of Humanity exists independently, regardless of the existence of human beings. d.)Metaphysically speaking, a horse is more genuine than the Form of a horse.

c.)The Form of Humanity exists independently, regardless of the existence of human beings.

Billie is investigating philosophical arguments used in a recent animal rights case involving the treatment of cattle in a feedlot. According to Aristotle's metaphysics and ontology, what is true about the essence of a cow? a.)The essence of a cow exists in the universal concept of cow, but not within each individual cow. b.)There is no difference between the universal "cow" and the particular "cow" because the essence of each is the same. c.)The essence of a cow is composed of a genus and a differentia. d.)The essence of a cow exists only in Platonic Heaven.

c.)The essence of a cow is composed of a genus and a differentia.

Kara is a political activist who protests against animal cruelty by boycotting products that are tested on animals. According to Plato, what determines whether Kara's act is just? a.)An act can be considered just if it promotes kindness. b.)It is a just act if Kara truly believes that it is a just act. c.)The essence of justice determines whether or not the act is just. d.)If the majority of people decide that the act is just, it is just.

c.)The essence of justice determines whether or not the act is just.

Which of the following is a way in which Plato has impacted history and society? a.)He proved that mathematics is a human invention that transcends culture. b.)He reoriented philosophy away from ethics and epistemology and towards cosmology and natural philosophy. c.)He was the first philosopher to equate philosophy with rhetoric. d.)He taught Aristotle and started the Academy, a center of learning in ancient Athens.

d.)He taught Aristotle and started the Academy, a center of learning in ancient Athens.

Charlie owns a small, skinny dog named Spot that bystanders often mistake for a cat. According to Plato, what causes Charlie's dog Spot to be a dog and not a cat? a.)Spot fits his owner's belief of what a dog should look like. b.)Spot chooses to embody the essence of a dog. c.)Spot is classified in the same genus and species as other dogs. d.)The Form of Dog is the reason Spot exists as a dog.

d.)The Form of Dog is the reason Spot exists as a dog.