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Questions for Exam 1 - Introduction to Philosophical Inquiry | PHIL 102, Exams of Introduction to Philosophy

Material Type: Exam; Professor: Moore; Class: Intro to Philosophical Inquiry; Subject: Philosophy; University: Lander University; Term: Spring 2009;

Typology: Exams

Pre 2010

Uploaded on 08/18/2009

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Phil. 102: Introduction to Philosophy
Test 1: The Meaning of Life
Spring 2009 c
2009 GFDL
1 General Instructions
Do not recopy the questions when you submit the answers to this test. Simply
number the questions in accordance with the test sheet.
Caution: All work on this test must be your own work. Do not discuss true/false
questions with other members of the class. Be sure to review policy requirements
for tests in the syllabus under the sections entitled, “Evaluation,” “Tests,” and
How to Save with a .doc Extension.” Important: Statistical checks of academic
honesty are made on all tests submitted for both true/false and essay questions.
2 True–False Questions (50 pts.)
Directions: Write in the blanks below the word “true” or the word “false” in
accordance with the truth or falsity of the statement.
1. The study of philosophy emphasizes comprehension
more than the recognition of facts in different kinds of inquiry.
2. If you adopt the principle of charity when presented
with a new idea, then the idea should only be criticized initially if the idea
is so different it is difficult to understand.
3. John Dewey believes that the only way to prepare
for the future is to anticipate what is needed for the future.
4. The readings point out that the nature of facts often
depends upon our theoretical points of view.
5. In philosophy and in science, facts are explained as
being in the world and existing as physical objects.
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Download Questions for Exam 1 - Introduction to Philosophical Inquiry | PHIL 102 and more Exams Introduction to Philosophy in PDF only on Docsity!

Phil. 102: Introduction to Philosophy

Test 1: The Meaning of Life

Spring 2009 ©c2009 GFDL

1 General Instructions

Do not recopy the questions when you submit the answers to this test. Simply number the questions in accordance with the test sheet.

Caution: All work on this test must be your own work. Do not discuss true/false questions with other members of the class. Be sure to review policy requirements for tests in the syllabus under the sections entitled, “Evaluation,” “Tests,” and “ How to Save with a .doc Extension.” Important: Statistical checks of academic honesty are made on all tests submitted for both true/false and essay questions.

2 True–False Questions (50 pts.)

Directions: Write in the blanks below the word “true” or the word “false” in accordance with the truth or falsity of the statement.

  1. The study of philosophy emphasizes comprehension more than the recognition of facts in different kinds of inquiry.
  2. If you adopt the principle of charity when presented with a new idea, then the idea should only be criticized initially if the idea is so different it is difficult to understand.
  3. John Dewey believes that the only way to prepare for the future is to anticipate what is needed for the future.
  4. The readings point out that the nature of facts often depends upon our theoretical points of view.
  5. In philosophy and in science, facts are explained as being in the world and existing as physical objects.

2 TRUE–FALSE QUESTIONS (50 PTS.)

  1. Scudder argues that facts only have meaning when they are related to other facts by means of true generalizations or laws.
  2. The text argues that in order to discover a new law of science, we must find all of the facts in a given situation.
  3. Philosophy, similarly to other disciplines like his- tory, chemistry,or literature, is a well defined and limited field of study.
  4. The text argues that the beginning of philosophical thinking often occurs when we cannot think of a way to solve a problem.
  5. Both the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica and Bertrand Russell explain philosophy in terms of a synoptic or a comprehensive in- quiry into all fields of knowledge.
  6. Axiology can be defined as the study of the axioms or fundamental presuppositions of mathematics.
  7. Epistemology is the study of the nature, scope, and limits of human knowledge.
  8. Socrates’ teacher and mentor was Plato.
  9. One of the charges brought against Socrates is that he is challenging Greek religious beliefs; that is, he investigates things in the heavens and below the earth.
  10. The Socratic Paradox is the basis of the ethics of Socrates.
  11. The Delphic Oracle stated that Socrates makes the weaker reason appear the stronger, and he corrupts the youth of Athens.
  12. Socrates says that he is a gadfly; this means that he annoys the prominent citizens of Athens by showing they do not know what they claim to know.
  13. When convicted, Socrates doesn’t plead for his life because he knows he can move away from Athens and change his ques- tioning.
  14. Socrates believes in immortality of the soul because of the permanence of material objects, not ideas.
  15. According to Russell, a chief value of philosophy is its uncertainty and its reduction of dogmatism.
  16. Russell describes the practical person as one who seeks enlargement of self.

2 TRUE–FALSE QUESTIONS (50 PTS.)

  1. Because Tolstoy rejected Christianity, he experi- enced an arrest of life.
  2. “The truth” according to Tolstoy is that art reveals the representation of the reality of life.
  3. Tolstoy thinks that only philosophy can provide a meaning to our lives.
  4. Tolstoy believes advances in science can provide a meaning and an understanding of life that is only circular and limited.
  5. Tolstoy defines “faith” as a form “irrational knowl- edge” because the infinite is essentially nonrational.
  6. Tolstoy states that in this life, only death and taxes are the truth.
  7. Camus implies that the fundamental problem of phi- losophy is to solve the question of the meaning of life.
  8. Camus states that the world is Absurd; because all our actions are controlled by fate.
  9. Camus’ believes that scorn makes Sisyphus superior to his life’s condition.
  10. Camus believes that we can find a meaning to life if we act in the face of the Absurd.
  11. The existentialists, like Tolstoy and Camus, believe that all human actions, like all natural events, are causally determined and so are subject to the laws of science.
  12. Camus believes that “what” we actually do is not as important as “what we think of what we do.”

4 ESSAY 40 PTS.

3 Matching (10 pts.)

Directions: Match the philosophical paraphrases in Column 2 with the philoso- phers in Column 1 by placing the appropriate number or numbers in the blank spaces provided.

Column 1 Column 2

Russell 1. The answers given by science are only identities.

  1. Death is the truth

Tolstoy 3. A face that toils so close to stone is stone itself.

  1. Philosophical questions form the origins of science.

Camus 5. Sisyphus is the absurd hero.

  1. “Faith is truth”

4 Essay 40 pts.

Directions: Answer any two of the following five essay questions in considerable detail. Be sure to include supporting reasons for your view and explain clearly the philosophical concepts used. If possible, provide examples illustrating those concepts. Essays should be about 400 words.

  1. According to Russell, what are the main goals of philosophy? Why should we try to avoid the dogmatism of the practical person? Give specific a example.
  2. According to Tolstoy, how can one obtain the meaning of life? Thoroughly explain and interpret his answer. Give specific examples which illustrate the main concepts. Characterize Tolstoy’s use of faith and the character- istics he ascribes to faith.
  3. Explain in detail what Russell means by “synoptic philosophy.”
  4. What is an “arrest of life”? Characterize it in psychological and philo- sophical terms. Explain whether or not having career goals would solve an “arrest of life”?
  5. What does Camus mean by the “Absurd”? How can one find meaning in life in spite of the Absurd? How is the Absurd related to the Myth of Sisyphus?