Deck 1: Philosophy

Question 1

According to Russell, science is valuable primarily for . . .

A) Its effects on mankind in general
B) Its effects on the student
C) The technology it produces
D) None of the above

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following best characterizes what Russell means by the "practical man prejudice"?

A) Overlooking the value of philosophy
B) Taking science to be the only valuable subject to study
C) Taking philosophy to be the only valuable subject to study
D) Overlooking the fact that the goods of the mind are as important as the goods of the body

Answer 2

D

Question 3

According to Russell, philosophy aims at which of the following types of knowledge?

A) The kind that gives unity and system to the body of the sciences
B) The kind that results from a critical examination of the grounds of prejudices and beliefs
C) All of the above
D) None of the above

Answer 3

C

Question 4

According to Russell, philosophy doesn't give definite answers to its questions because . . .

A) As soon as definite knowledge is possible, the subject ceases to be called philosophy
B) Part of the value of philosophy is its uncertainty
C) The kinds of questions it asks must remain insoluble
D) (a) and (c)

Question 5

According to Russell, the "man who has no tincture of philosophy" . . .

A) Takes the world to be definite, finite, and obvious
B) Contemptuously rejects unfamiliar possibilities
C) Goes through life imprisoned by local prejudices
D) All of the above

Question 6

Which of the following isn't a reason Russell offers as to why philosophy is valuable?

A) It keeps alive our sense of wonder.
B) It increases our knowledge as to what may be
C) It allows one to rationally defend one's personal aims
D) Contemplating philosophical subjects enlarges one's Self

Question 7

According to Russell, what is the problem with philosophies that assimilate the world to Man?

A) They aren't actually philosophies
B) They impair any attempt at forming a union between the Self and not-Self
C) They diminish our feeling of certainty
D) There is no such problem, according to Russell

Question 8

For Russell, the "free intellect" . . .

A) Will see without a here and a now
B) Values abstract and universal knowledge
C) Disvalues knowledge in which one's personal history factors
D) All of the above

Question 9

According to Russell, which of the following is a benefit of making one's mind accustomed to freedom and impartiality

A) That one will become more free and impartial in the world of action and emotion
B) That one will be able to live a materially comfortable life
C) That one will be better fit to find out the Truth in all philosophical matters
D) That one will be able to recognize right from wrong

Question 10

Philosophy, for Russell, is to be studied . . .

A) For the sake of finding definite answers to questions of human interest
B) For the sake of finding the answers one needs to go on in this world
C) For the sake of the questions themselves
D) For the sake of improving the world

Question 11

According to Russell, philosophy is valuable for the same reason science is valuable.

Question 12

Russell holds that philosophy is valuable because of the answers it gives one to questions of human interest.

Question 13

For Russell, man isn't the measure of all things.

Question 14

A benefit of studying philosophy, according to Russell, is that it frees one from one's circle of private interests.

Question 15

Russell contends that philosophy does not involve uncertainty, despite common thought.

Question 16

Evenus is a . . .

A) Craftsman
B) Poet
C) Sophist
D) Politician

Question 17

According to the oracle at Delphi . . .

A) Socrates would be tried by Athens
B) Socrates would be found innocent
C) Socrates would be condemned to death
D) There is no one wiser than Socrates

Question 18

Why does Socrates take himself to be wiser than the people he interviews?

A) He finds he knows more than they do
B) He finds they aren't as good at arguing as he is
C) He finds they think they know things they don't actually know, and he doesn't
D) He finds they are unjust

Question 19

After hearing the oracle's answer, Socrates goes around Athens and interviews . . .

A) Politicians
B) Poets
C) Craftspeople
D) All of the above

Question 20

Socrates stands charged of . . .

A) Obstructing justice
B) Corrupting the youth
C) Murder
D) All of the above

Question 21

According to Socrates' analogy, Athens is like a _______ and he is like a _______.

A) horse; gadfly
B) gadfly; horse
C) teacher; student
D) student; teacher

Question 22

Why doesn't Socrates try to gain sympathy from his jury?

A) He doesn't believe it will work
B) He doesn't have children, or anything which can gain him sympathy
C) He believes he should only be acquitted on the basis of justice and the law
D) All of the above

Question 23

After being found guilty, what alternative punishment does Socrates ultimately suggest?

A) A fine of 1 Mina
B) A fine of 30 Minas
C) Exile
D) Imprisonment

Question 24

After being condemned to death, what is Socrates' prophecy?

A) That Athens will decline after his death
B) That there will never be anyone as wise as he is
C) That after death he will be with heroes and wise people in Hades
D) That killing him will only bring more critics like him

Question 25

According to Socrates, it is harder to avoid _______ than it is to avoid death.

A) knowledge
B) wickedness
C) cowardice
D) truth

Question 26

Socrates is found guilty and exiled from Athens.

Question 27

For Socrates, while justice is important, it is more important to protect your own life.

Question 28

Plato and other students of Socrates offer to pay a fine of 30 minas for him.

Question 29

Socrates argues that death is the most frightening thing possible, but he is ready to face it.

Question 30

Socrates finds that no one he interviews is wiser than he is, because everyone he interviews thinks they know something, even if they don't know it.