Deck 1: Philosophy and You

Question 1

The four main divisions of philosophy are metaphysics, epistemology, axiology, and

A) bioethics.
B) logic.
C) aesthetics.
D) categorical logic.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

For Socrates, an unexamined life is a tragedy because it results in grievous harm to the

A) state.
B) justice system.
C) body.
D) soul.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

For Socrates, the soul is harmed by lack of

A) knowledge.
B) wealth.
C) community.
D) courage.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

A question-and-answer dialogue in which propositions are methodically scrutinized to uncover the truth is known as

A) an argument.
B) the Socratic method.
C) the Socratic jest.
D) a debate.

Question 5

If you assume that a set of statements is true, and yet you can deduce a false or absurd statement from it, then the original set of statements as a whole must be false. This kind of argument is known as

A) modus tollens.
B) modus ponens.
C) hypothetical syllogism.
D) reductio ad absurdum.

Question 6

The systematic use of critical reasoning to try to find answers to fundamental questions about reality, morality, and knowledge is called

A) the argumentative method.
B) the philosophical method.
C) propositional logic.
D) syllogistic reasoning.

Question 7

The study of value in the broadest sense (moral, aesthetic, etc.) is known as

A) metaphysics.
B) epistemology.
C) quantum physics.
D) axiology.

Question 8

Questions like "What is knowledge?" and "What is truth?" are mainstays in the branch of philosophy known as

A) logic.
B) metaphysics.
C) epistemology.
D) aesthetics.

Question 9

According to Socrates, a clear sign that a person has _______ is his or her exclusive pursuit of social status, wealth, power, and pleasure.

A) philosophical ambition
B) worldly wisdom
C) exceptional desires
D) an unhealthy soul

Question 10

A group of statements in which one of them is meant to be supported by the others is a(n)

A) statement.
B) argument.
C) conclusion.
D) reduction.

Question 11

In an argument, the statement being supported is the conclusion, and the statements supporting the conclusion are the

A) middle statements.
B) premises.
C) persuaders.
D) substatements.

Question 12

Terms such as "consequently," "therefore," and "as a result" are

A) premise indicator words.
B) conclusion indicator words.
C) statements.
D) persuaders.

Question 13

Arguments that intend to provide logically conclusive support to their conclusions so that if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true, are

A) deductive.
B) inductive.
C) explanatory.
D) cogent.

Question 14

When we arrive at a generalization about an entire group of things after observing just some members of the group, we are making a(n)

A) analogical induction.
B) sound deduction.
C) valid inference.
D) enumerative induction.

Question 15

In the type of argument known as _______ , we begin with premises about a phenomenon or state of affairs to be explained; then we reason from those premises to an explanation for that state of affairs.

A) analogical induction
B) inference to the best explanation
C) explanatory deduction
D) statistical syllogism

Question 16

The renowned philosopher who lived and worked in the Greek city of Alexandria in the fifth century was

A) Hypatia.
B) Philippa.
C) Avicenna.
D) Anselm.

Question 17

The fallacy of misrepresenting a person's views so they can be more easily attacked or dismissed is called the

A) appeal to popularity.
B) fallacy of equivocation.
C) genetic fallacy.
D) straw man fallacy.

Question 18

The fallacy of rejecting a statement on the grounds that it comes from a particular person is known as

A) appeal to ignorance.
B) equivocation.
C) false dilemma.
D) appeal to the person.

Question 19

The fallacy of _______ is arguing either that (1) a claim is true because it hasn't been proven false or (2) a claim is false because it hasn't been proven true.

A) the genetic fallacy
B) appeal to ignorance
C) equivocation
D) slippery slope

Question 20

The fallacy of _______ is trying to prove a conclusion by using that very same conclusion as support.

A) equivocation
B) composition
C) false dilemma
D) begging the question

Question 21

The fallacy of _______ is arguing erroneously that a particular action should not be taken because it will lead inevitably to other actions resulting in some dire outcome.

A) slippery slope
B) false dilemma
C) equivocation
D) straw man

Question 22

A good argument must have (1) solid logic and (2)

A) inductive analogies.
B) true premises.
C) valid conclusions.
D) cogent disjunctions.

Question 23

If inductive arguments succeed in lending probable support to their conclusions, they are said to be

A) valid.
B) weak.
C) strong.
D) sound.

Question 24

_______ is the study of value, including both aesthetic value and moral value.

A) Epistemology
B) Philosophy of science
C) Metaphysics
D) Axiology

Question 25

The study of correct reasoning is called

A) value theory.
B) cognition.
C) axiology.
D) logic.

Question 26

For Socrates, the good of the soul is attained only through an uncompromising search for

A) what's true and real.
B) scientific laws.
C) a theory of everything.
D) what's physically necessary.

Question 27

Philosophers provide reasons for thinking their ideas are plausible- that is, they give us

A) arguments.
B) mysteries.
C) physical symbolism.
D) histories.

Question 28

A(n) _______ is an assertion that something is or is not the case and is therefore the kind of utterance that is either true or false.

A) question
B) interjection
C) statement
D) argument

Question 29

Evidence is something that _______

A) makes a statement more likely to be true.
B) is a statement preceded by words like "therefore."
C) guarantees that a statement is true.
D) one perceives or feels to be true.

Question 30

Confirmation bias is the phenomenon where

A) we agree with someone only because their views are popular.
B) we only seek out evidence that confirms our beliefs.
C) we rely on our feelings rather than evidence.
D) we are ignorant of how ignorant we are.

Question 31

Which of the following is not a recommended way of avoiding motivated reasoning?

A) Be reasonably skeptical of all sources, especially those that support your beliefs.
B) Give opposing views a chance- do not dismiss them out of hand.
C) Seek out alternative views and do not surround yourself only with people who agree with you.
D) List all of the evidence in favor of your beliefs.

Question 32

Which of the following is an example of the availability error?

A) Believing that pit bulls are dangerous without considering the evidence against your belief.
B) Believing that pit bulls are dangerous on the basis of non-expert testimony.
C) Believing that pit bulls are dangerous on the basis of a vivid memory you have of a pit bull attack.
D) Believing that pit bulls are dangerous without scrutinizing the evidence that supposedly confirms your belief.

Question 33

The phenomenon of the Dunning-Kruger Effect is when we are ignorant about a subject and

A) disagree with experts.
B) are ignorant of our ignorance.
C) engage in fallacious reasoning.
D) arrive at erroneous conclusions because of our ignorance.

Question 34

Socrates preferred death to exile.

Question 35

Aristotle said, "An unexamined life is not worth living."

Question 36

Any type of declarative statement is an argument.

Question 37

An argument is synonymous with persuasion.

Question 38

In philosophy-and in any other kind of rational inquiry-accepting a conclusion (statement) without good reasons is an elementary mistake in reasoning.

Question 39

Persuasion does not necessarily involve giving any reasons at all for accepting a claim.

Question 40

A deductive argument is an argument intended to give probable support to its conclusion.

Question 41

If inductive arguments succeed in lending very probable support to their conclusions, they are said to be weak.

Question 42

An argument is not synonymous with causes.

Question 43

A good deductive argument is said to be cogent.

Question 44

A good inductive argument is said to be strong.

Question 45

Modus tollens is a valid argument form.

Question 46

An argument of this form-If p, then q; p; therefore, q-is called modus tollens.

Question 47

An argument of this form- If p, then q; not p; therefore, not q -is called modus ponens.

Question 48

In the argument form known as inference to the best explanation, we reason in this fashion: Two or more things are similar in several ways; therefore, they are probably similar in one further way.

Question 49

This argument form-phenomenon Q; E provides the best explanation for Q; therefore, it is probable that E is true-is called analogical induction.

Question 50

When you read a philosophical essay, you are simply trying to glean some facts from it as you might if you were reading a science text or technical report.

Question 51

The key to identifying an argument in context is to first identify the author.

Question 52

This classic argument-"The Bible says that God exists; the Bible is true because God wrote it; therefore, God exists"-is an example of begging the question.

Question 53

Empedocles articulated the basic outlines of natural selection twenty-five centuries ago.

Question 54

Philosophy, being an ancient art, cannot be applied to modern social problems such as racism.

Question 55

In ancient times, Theano was the wife and learned companion of Socrates.

Question 56

If you base your judgments solely on evidence that's easily psychologically accessible, you are likely to commit hasty generalizations.

Question 57

If you arrive at a belief using motivated reasoning, your belief is false.

Question 58

Psychologically available evidence is reliable because vivid memories and the like constitute strong evidence.

Question 59

The Dunning-Kruger Effect is not limited to logical reasoning, but also to emotional intelligence and social awareness.

Question 60

Exceptionally smart people almost never engage in motivated reasoning since such people are usually aware of their own biases.

Question 61

What is the philosophical method? Have you ever applied the method to an issue in your life? If so, how did you use it? If not, devise an example to show how the method could be used to shed light on a serious question.

Question 62

Do you agree with Socrates that an unexamined life is not worth living? Why or why not?

Question 63

The text says that philosophical inquiry can give you freedom. What does this mean? Explain why you agree or disagree with this claim.

Question 64

What is an argument? To demonstrate your understanding, devise a sample argument. Is your argument deductive or inductive? Explain the difference between the two.

Question 65

What is the fallacy of straw man? Provide an example drawn from contemporary politics or large ethical issues (such as abortion, capital punishment, or welfare reform). Explain why your example is an instance of straw man.

Question 66

What is the Socratic method? Explain it and give an example of its use.

Question 67

Explain how philosophy can elucidate beliefs about racism. How does Lawrence Blum argue that many actions may be racial but not racist?

Question 68

What is the fallacy of appeal to ignorance? Give two examples of how it can be used in arguing for a conclusion.

Question 69

Who were the pre-Socratics? What was their main contribution to philosophical and scientific thinking? Why is this contribution important?

Question 70

What is the fallacy of the appeal to popularity? Provide two examples of its use in contemporary debates on social and political issues.

Question 71

What is the phenomenon of confirmation bias? Give two examples of confirmation bias, hypothetical or actual.

Question 72

In discussing the Dunning-Kruger effect, Tom Nichols claims that "the pernicious idea that 'everyone can be an expert'…is dangerous." What does Nichols mean by this claim?