Deck 2: God and Evil

Question 1

Anselm is seeking to _______ the truth of God.

A) better understand
B) believe in
C) test
D) None of the above

Answer 1

A

Question 2

According to Anselm, one cannot _______ God unless one _______ God.

A) believe in; understands
B) understand; trusts
C) understand; believes in
D) trust in; understands

Answer 2

C

Question 3

According to Anselm, God . . .

A) Is omniscient, omnipotent, and all good.
B) Doesn't exist.
C) Is that which nothing greater can be conceived.
D) Only exists as a concept in our minds.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following best characterizes Anselm's question?

A) Does God exist?
B) Does God exist in our understanding?
C) Is God that which nothing greater can be conceived?
D) Can anything be conceived that is greater than God?

Question 5

Which of the following best characterizes the position Anselm argues for?

A) It is possible for God to exist only in one's understanding
B) If God exists in one's understanding, necessarily God exists
C) God cannot exist, even in one's understanding
D) God only exists in one's understanding

Question 6

Anselm uses his painter analogy to distinguish between . . .

A) Something existing in one's understanding and it existing in reality
B) True and false belief
C) Belief and knowledge
D) None of the above

Question 7

Choose the answer that best fills in the missing step in Anselm's argument:
(i) God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived.
(ii) God exists in one's understanding.
(iii) _______.
(iv) But then we can conceive something greater than God.
(v) This is a contradiction, so if God exists in our understanding, God must exist.

A) If God exists in one's understanding, then God must exist in reality.
B) It is possible for something to exist in one's understanding but not in reality.
C) God is also something greater than can be conceived.
D) If God only exists in one's understanding, we could still conceive of God existing in reality.

Question 8

According to Anselm, it is absurd that we can conceive of something greater than God . . .

A) Because God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived.
B) Because then a created thing would pass judgment upon its creator.
C) Because then a created thing would rise above its creator.
D) All of the above

Question 9

According to Anselm, not only is God that which nothing greater can be conceived, God is also . . .

A) Something greater than can be conceived.
B) What gives meaning to our lives.
C) Omniscient, Omnipotent, and All good.
D) The truth.

Question 10

How, for Anselm, could one truthfully believe God doesn't exist if it is conceptually impossible?

A) One might regard the words "God does not exist" as meaningless or take them in an unusual sense
B) One might understand God, but simply not believe in God
C) One might have given it very little thought
D) None of the above

Question 11

Anselm argues that God likely exists.

Question 12

Anselm holds that one can understand God without believing in God.

Question 13

Anselm holds that God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived.

Question 14

For Anselm, God is not only that than which nothing greater can be conceived, God is also greater than can be conceived.

Question 15

Anselm believes one can't understand God and truly believe God doesn't exist.

Question 16

According to the ontological argument, God exists because . . .

A) No ontology could be complete without including a being that necessarily exists
B) God by definition necessarily exists
C) God exists in thought
D) God is that than which nothing greater can be meant, and if God didn't exist, He wouldn't be greatest

Question 17

Against the ontological argument, Aquinas argues that even if God means "that than which nothing greater can be thought" . . .

A) This doesn't do anything to guarantee that God exists in anything more than thought
B) There could still be things greater than God that exist
C) God still must exist, because there must be a first efficient cause
D) None of the above

Question 18

The first objection to God's existence states that by God we mean something infinitely good, and . . .

A) Nothing could be infinitely good, so God doesn't exist
B) This isn't the only way someone could define God, so God doesn't necessarily exist
C) God's existence is thus inconsistent with there being bad things in the world, so God can't exist
D) God must precede the notion of goodness, and this would be a contradiction, so God doesn't exist

Question 19

Central to Aquinas's first argument for God's existence is the claim that . . .

A) Something can change itself
B) Whatever undergoes change must be changed by another thing
C) Actuality and potentiality are the only real properties something can have
D) There is no real change

Question 20

According to Aquinas, why can't something be its own efficient cause?

A) Because then there would be no first efficient cause
B) Because series of causes can't back to infinity
C) Because then it would be prior to itself, which is impossible
D) None of the above

Question 21

According to Aquinas's third argument, why must God exist?

A) Because something must exist of necessity
B) Because otherwise there would be a time when nothing existed
C) Because otherwise nothing could exist now
D) All of the above

Question 22

For Aquinas, there must be something maximally true, good, and noble, because . . .

A) God must exist.
B) There are a limited number of things in the world.
C) There must be something by which to measure gradations of goodness, truth, and nobility.
D) All of the above.

Question 23

According to Aquinas's fifth argument, God must exist because . . .

A) Things that lack consciousness still act with purpose, and they need something to direct them
B) God is the greatest entity, and to be the greatest entity, God must exist
C) Arrows must be directed by archers
D) Objects within nature have no purpose

Question 24

Which of the following best characterizes Aquinas's response to the objection that God can't exist because there is evil in the world?

A) Since God is supremely good, He would only allow evil to exist if He could bring good out of it
B) In order for good to exist, evil must exist
C) God is infinitely good
D) None of the above

Question 25

According to Aquinas, we must trace purposeful acts back to a cause higher than human reason and will because . . .

A) Humans are created by God
B) Everything in nature works for a definite end
C) These can change or go out of existence
D) None of the above

Question 26

Aquinas rejects the ontological argument for the existence of God.

Question 27

According to Aquinas, it is possible that something that undergoes change to cause that change.

Question 28

According to Aquinas, something can't be its own efficient cause.

Question 29

Aquinas holds that it is an open question whether or not God exists.

Question 30

For Aquinas, it is possible that something come into existence from nothing.

Question 31

According to Paley, how would we respond if asked how a watch we found in a heath, or meadow, got there?

A) We would suppose it could have always been there
B) We wouldn't know how to answer such a question
C) We would suppose that the watch was at some point created by someone
D) None of the above

Question 32

For Paley, why wouldn't we stop supposing someone created the watch if we find out it is imperfect?

A) Because watches are different from rocks
B) Because it is still unlikely to be a natural feature of the heath
C) We would stop supposing the watch was created by someone if we find out it is imperfect
D) Because the purpose of the watch would still be evident

Question 33

Of the following considerations, which isn't one Paley considers regarding our reaction to finding the watch?

A) The fact that we're familiar with watches
B) The fact that the watch might be imperfect
C) The fact that we may not understand how the watch works
D) None of the above

Question 34

According to Paley, why wouldn't it affect our reaction to finding the watch if we didn't understand how certain parts worked?

A) It would affect our reaction, according to Paley
B) Because finding it in a heath is enough
C) Because it is still different from a rock
D) Because through the decay of its parts we'd eventually see the watch's design

Question 35

For Paley, which of the following is implied by a law?

A) An agent
B) A power
C) An agent and a power
D) None of the above

Question 36

What feature does Paley ask us to consider being added to the watch we find?

A) It produces replicas of itself
B) It plays music
C) It is made of stone
D) It grows larger

Question 37

If the watch produces replicas of itself, how is it different from a carpenter, according to Paley?

A) Carpenters are people
B) Carpenters cause the relation between the parts of what they create and its use
C) Carpenters have to study a craft
D) Carpenters aren't found in fields

Question 38

Why doesn't it matter, for Paley, that the found watch might have been created by another watch?

A) Because it is so unlikely the case
B) Because such a process can't go on indefinitely; at some point, there must be a creator
C) Because the watch is still different from a stone
D) None of the above

Question 39

What is the difference between a stone and a watch, for Paley's purposes?

A) Stones can be adapted to a purpose, whereas watches have purposes
B) Stones are smaller than watches
C) A stone has no design or purpose, whereas a watch does
D) None of the above

Question 40

Which of the following best characterizes Paley's point about atheism?

A) Atheists occupy a reasonable position
B) Atheists are like the person who finds the watch
C) Atheists confuse substance with design
D) Atheists are like someone who denies that the self-replicating watch they find has no designer

Question 41

For Paley, the difference between a stone and a watch is that a watch has a design and purpose.

Question 42

Paley holds that it is unreasonable that someone might be an atheist.

Question 43

Paley argues that if asked where a watch we find comes from, we would answer that it was created by someone.

Question 44

For Paley, it doesn't matter if the watch we find was created by another watch, or if that watch was created by yet another; at some point, someone had to design a first watch that created the others.

Question 45

Paley takes substances to always have purposes or ends.

Question 46

What does it mean for an option to be living?

A) Both hypotheses are momentous.
B) The truth of the hypotheses is of great significance.
C) Both hypotheses make some appeal to your belief.
D) The truth of the hypotheses require belief in them.

Question 47

What does it mean for an option to be forced?

A) You cannot avoid both hypotheses.
B) The hypotheses are both true.
C) The evidence for the hypotheses is underdetermined.
D) The hypotheses are not momentous.

Question 48

What does it mean for an option to be momentous?

A) Neither hypothesis is true.
B) The option is unique, significant, and irreversible.
C) Both hypotheses are reasonable to believe.
D) The option is trivial.

Question 49

What does James claim about the religious hypothesis as an option?

A) It is live, but not forced or momentous.
B) It is live and forced, but not momentous.
C) It is not a genuine option, at least if true.
D) It is live, forced and momentous, at least if true.

Question 50

James claims that, if the religious hypothesis is true, then we

A) stand to lose out on the good by disbelieving it or being agnostic.
B) lose out on the good only by disbelieving it.
C) lose out on the good only by being agnostic.
D) lose out on the good by believing it.

Question 51

James claims that our passional and volitional nature

A) Should not affect our beliefs.
B) does affect our beliefs.
C) does not affect our beliefs.
D) is irrational.

Question 52

Clifford would agree that

A) it is never rational to believe in God.
B) it is rational to believe in God if there is some evidence for God.
C) believing in God is neither rational nor irrational.
D) believing in God is irrational if the total evidence doesn't support God's existence.

Question 53

James and Clifford disagree over whether

A) it is ever rational to believe something that the total evidence doesn't support.
B) the religious option is momentous.
C) the total evidence supports the religious hypothesis.
D) there can be any genuine options.

Question 54

According to James, if something is a genuine option, then

A) one is allowed to believe it, even if the total evidence doesn't support it.
B) one is allowed to believe it, but only if the total evidence supports it.
C) one is allowed to believe it, but only if it is not forced.
D) one is not allowed to believe it, unless the total evidence supports it.

Question 55

James would agree that

A) if the religious hypothesis is living, then it is true.
B) if the religious hypothesis is momentous, then it is false.
C) if the religious hypothesis is not a real possibility, then it is not living.
D) if the religious hypothesis is true, then it is not forced.

Question 56

James argues that there is conclusive evidence for God's existence.

Question 57

An option is forced if it is of irreversible significance.

Question 58

James argues that our passional nature influences our beliefs.

Question 59

An option is genuine if it is living, momentous, and forced.

Question 60

James argues that the religious hypothesis is not living.

Question 61

Why does Philo argue that we can have no idea of what God is like?

A) We have no experience of God
B) No a priori argument is possible for God's attributes
C) God is intrinsically without attributes
D) None of the above

Question 62

Cleanthes offers an . . .

A) a posteriori argument for a designer of the universe
B) a priori argument for a designer of the universe
C) a posteriori argument against a designer of the universe
D) a priori argument against a designer of the universe

Question 63

For Cleanthes, God has . . .

A) No knowable attributes
B) Never existed
C) The same types of attributes as humans
D) None of the above

Question 64

In Parts VI and VII, Philo suggests that the world resembles a/an . . .

A) Clock
B) Human being
C) Eye, or any other complex organ
D) Animal or a vegetable

Question 65

According to Demea and Philos, what is the human life like?

A) Thoroughly miserable
B) Intrinsically happy
C) Mystical
D) None of the above

Question 66

According to Philos, which of the following isn't a circumstance that creates misery in the universe?

A) The fragility of nature's mechanisms
B) Pains are necessary to motivate action
C) God's absence
D) Nature's imperfection

Question 67

According to Philos, the first cause of the universe . . .

A) Is a benevolent God
B) Has neither goodness or malice
C) Has similar attributes as humans
D) Has malice

Question 68

Cleanthes suggests that religion has important moral effects for its worshippers. How does Philos respond?

A) Philos agrees, arguing that though we can know nothing of God there are practical reasons for religion
B) Philos disagrees, pointing to history as counterevidence
C) Philos agrees, arguing that this is the reason he ultimately believes God to be good
D) Philos disagrees, arguing that too much reverence for anything is dangerous

Question 69

Philos suggests that skepticism . . ..

A) Is a dangerous attitude to have about religious matters
B) Is actually the best way to worship God
C) Is the only way to free us from misery
D) None of the above

Question 70

Which best describes Cleanthes?

A) Anthropomorphite
B) Theist
C) Philosopher
D) All of the above

Question 71

Cleanthes is an Anthropomorphite.

Question 72

Demea leaves the conversation because Philos suggests we cannot ascribe moral attributes to God.

Question 73

Cleanthes main argument is a priori.

Question 74

Demea is primarily on Cleanthes' side of the debate.

Question 75

Philos argues that we can only ascribe one type of attribute to God-supreme morality.

Question 76

By "syllogism," Leibniz means . . .

A) The position that God is limited
B) A type of religious belief
C) A type of argument
D) None of the above

Question 77

For Leibniz, which of the following claims is false?

A) God lacks in power, or knowledge, or goodness
B) We live in the best of all possible worlds
C) There is evil in the world
D) Sometimes parts of a whole must be imperfect for the good of the whole

Question 78

Complete the following syllogism.
I) _______.
Ii) God did not choose the best in creating this world.
Iii) Therefore, God has been lacking in power, or in knowledge, or in goodness.

A) If God did not choose the best in creating this world, then God doesn't exist.
B) Whoever does not choose the best is lacking in power, or in knowledge, or in goodness.
C) God is supposed to be completely powerful, knowledgeable, and good.
D) We live in the best of all possible worlds.

Question 79

Why does Leibniz deny that whoever makes things in which there is evil doesn't choose best?

A) Because God created a world with evil, and God can only choose best
B) Because sometimes evil is accompanied by a greater good
C) Because God is not limited in power, knowledge, or goodness
D) He doesn't deny this

Question 80

One example of how evil is compatible with greater good, according to Leibniz, is . . .

A) God giving us freedom, despite the fact that this ensures some evil in the world
B) A general preferring a victory with some injury to his ranks over no victory
C) Imperfection of parts sometimes being required in math for the greater perfection of the whole
D) All of the above