Deck 1: What Is Philosophy Thinking Philosophically About Life

Question 1

Which is the most significant hallmark of the "Stage 3" critical thinker?

A) Knowing what one believes.
B) Recognizing that not all "authorities" may be reliable.
C) Recognizing that there are a number of possible positions to take on an issue.
D) Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of various theories.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Consistency between beliefs is important because _.

A) it is important to avoid contradictions
B) arguments must explain the reason for beliefs
C) arguments must clearly state their principles
D) beliefs must be supported by arguments

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The role of premises in an argument is to .

A) take part in a dialogue
B) give the rules for argumentation
C) give reasons for a conclusion
D) clearly state what one believes

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Issues and statements must be defined as clearly as possible so that .

A) their exact meaning can be determined
B) they can be as correct as possible
C) they can be as concise as possible
D) they are not too controversial

Question 5

What is philosophy? Why is it worth studying?

Question 6

Philosophy can most of all help a person to think more .

A) quickly
B) fairly
C) easily
D) critically

Question 7

What is deficient about the "Garden of Eden" and "anything goes" stages of thinking?
Why would someone want to progress from those stages into the "critical thinking"
stage?

Question 8

A deductive argument's purpose is to .

A) prove that a conclusion is true
B) show that a conclusion is plausible
C) indicate that a conclusion is likely
D) state a conclusion as precisely as possible

Question 9

The term dialectical means _.

A) controversial
B) analyzing all sides
C) always changing
D) consistent

Question 10

What is critical thinking? How is critical thinking important to philosophy?

Question 11

Which of the following does "doing philosophy" require most of all?

A) devoting a lot of time to thinking
B) considering whether you might be wrong
C) knowing what you believe
D) having good writing skills

Question 12

Philosophy is of greatest help in the search for .

A) knowledge
B) skills
C) meaning
D) possibilities

Question 13

Long ago, the field of philosophy was than it is today.

A) better
B) more difficult
C) less difficult
D) broader

Question 14

Why is it important to determine and state one's assumptions?

A) so that one can be more convincing
B) it is the standard way to formally communicate
C) so that it is clear what principles one's reasoning is based on
D) it is the best way to minimize controversy

Question 15

Why are generalizations often fallacious? How can one best guard against generalizing too hastily?

Question 16

Why are causal fallacies committed? What do they have in common with each other?

Question 17

An argumentative fallacy is .

A) an argument that is not as good as it could be
B) an argument that has false premises
C) an argument with a false conclusion
D) not deductively valid

Question 18

The ancient Greek definition of happiness is based on .

A) living to your potential
B) doing what you want
C) knowing yourself
D) knowing the right

Question 19

Why is the "Garden of Eden" stage of thinking unsustainable?

A) People eventually learn to think critically.
B) People realize that authorities may be unreliable.
C) People realize that they need to clearly state their principles.
D) People learn to argue for their point of view.

Question 20

Consequences of arguments are important mainly because .

A) They are required to make the argument work.
B) They tell whether the argument is logical.
C) They contribute to the argument's persuasiveness.
D) They show what other principles the arguer must be committed to.