Question 1

Dewey thought that modern industrialization had submerged both the individual and society and, therefore, the school should be an institution where&#10;A)children's individual and social capacities are nurtured through democratic living.&#10;B)individualism should be the guiding interest above all other considerations.&#10;C)individual differences should take second place to the more important needs of society.&#10;D)society's needs must give way to the needs and interests of individual children.

Accepted Answer

Dewey believed that modern industrialization had overshadowed the individual and society, so he believed that schools should become institutions where children's individual and social capacities are nurtured through democratic living. Therefore, choice A, which proposes that children's individual and social capacities are nurtured through democratic living, is the correct option.

Question 2

Although Dewey rejected supernaturalism, he held that human experience could have certain religious qualities to it because&#10;A)humans cannot escape the recognition of God.&#10;B)religious ideals are rooted in human needs.&#10;C)mankind's original sin leads it back to God.&#10;D)humans are naturally inclined toward the supernatural.

Accepted Answer

Dewey believed that religious ideals are rooted in human needs and experiences, rather than in supernatural phenomena. He believed that religion could play a meaningful role in shaping individual and societal values, while still rejecting the idea of a supernatural deity or transcendent reality.

Question 3

William James made which of the following ideas central to his philosophy?&#10;A)dialectic.&#10;B)experience.&#10;C)deduction.&#10;D)introspection.

Accepted Answer

William James made experience central to his philosophy. He believed in empiricism and that all knowledge and truth should be derived from experiences.

Question 4

Dewey held that a primary moral aim of schooling is to enable students to participate in democratic social life.By this he meant that democratic ideas must&#10;A)be overhauled to meet the needs of powerful social interests.&#10;B)become motive forces in how an individual relates ethically with others.&#10;C)have a rigorous and forceful application to student behaviors.&#10;D)not influence basic curriculum so much as extra-curricular activities.

Accepted Answer

Dewey believed that education should prepare individuals to live in a democratic society and form ethical relationships with others. Therefore, the best choice is B, as democratic ideas must become a motive force in how individuals relate ethically with each other. Answers A, C, and D do not accurately reflect Dewey's beliefs about the primary moral aim of schooling.

Question 5

According to the neopragmatists, philosophical pragmatism continues to have an important role today because of its&#10;A)opposition to idealist and realist views on metaphysics.&#10;B)advocacy of social reform and criticism of certainty.&#10;C)reluctance to press for social change.&#10;D)concern with promoting traditional education.

Accepted Answer

Neopragmatists believe that philosophical pragmatism is important today because of its commitment to social reform and its critique of certainty. It is not solely concerned with metaphysics, nor is it reluctant to press for social change. Traditional education is not a primary focus of neopragmatism.

Question 6

The classic pragmatists--Peirce, James, and Dewey--insisted that the test of truth of an idea or proposition lies in&#10;A)its reliable history of longevity.&#10;B)how close it reflects an independent reality.&#10;C)the consequences of acting on it.&#10;D)a logical analysis of meaningful terms.

Accepted Answer

The classic pragmatists believed that the test of truth lies in the consequences of acting on an idea or proposition. They emphasized the practical effects or outcomes of ideas in shaping our experiences and actions, rather than their correspondence to an independent reality or their logical coherence. Therefore, option C is the correct choice.

Question 7

Which of the following groups of terms most accurately describe central aspects of pragmatism?&#10;A)Revelation, moderation, and natural development.&#10;B)Deduction, dialectic, and experience.&#10;C)Revelation, science, and deduction.&#10;D)Experience, natural development, and science.

Accepted Answer

Pragmatism focuses on experience as a source of knowledge and emphasizes natural development as opposed to relying on revelation or deduction. Additionally, pragmatists value the scientific method as a means of testing and verifying theories, making "science" a relevant term in describing the philosophy.

Question 8

Pragmatists generally emphasize the importance of moral education and maintain that appropriate moral traits are best acquired by individuals through&#10;A)following the established customs of society.&#10;B)following the course of greatest economic profitability.&#10;C)reflective inquiry and social participation.&#10;D)obedience to absolute ethical values.

Accepted Answer

Pragmatists believe that appropriate moral traits can be acquired by individuals through reflective inquiry and social participation. They emphasize the importance of moral education, but reject the idea of obedience to absolute ethical values or blindly following established customs. Instead, they advocate for personal and social growth through critical thinking and experimentation. Choosing the course of greatest economic profitability is not a central concern for pragmatists when it comes to moral education.

Question 9

For pragmatists, particularly Dewey, the aim of education is&#10;A)economic.&#10;B)mental.&#10;C)knowledge.&#10;D)growth.

Accepted Answer

For pragmatists, particularly Dewey, the aim of education is not just to acquire knowledge or skills, but to promote growth and development of the whole person. This includes intellectual, emotional, social, and practical growth. The goal of education is to prepare individuals to be active and responsible members of society who can solve problems and adapt to a constantly changing world. Therefore, choice D, growth, is the most accurate answer.

Question 10

Pragmatism examines traditional ways of thinking and doing and attempts to reconstruct central ideas in order to&#10;A)solve present problems and promote creative intelligence.&#10;B)preserve collective wisdom and enhance social stability.&#10;C)maintain present prosperity and build future wealth.&#10;D)achieve lasting consensus and avoid disagreements.

Accepted Answer

Pragmatism is focused on problem-solving and promoting creative intelligence, rather than just maintaining or preserving tradition. The other options do not accurately reflect the goals or methods of pragmatism.

Deck 3: Eastern Philosophy, Religion, and Education