Deck 3: John Locke: of Enthusiasm and the Quest for Truth

Question 1

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-According to Locke, the first requirement in the search for truth is

A) a blessing from God.
B) a love of truth.
C) revelation.
D) reliable authority.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-According to Locke, the sure sign that one loves the truth is

A) earnest assertions that one loves the truth.
B) a feeling of certainty that one has the truth.
C) not believing any proposition without assurance from God.
D) not believing any proposition more strongly than reason warrants.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-In the search for truth, the relationship between reason and revelation is

A) reason can be overruled by revelation.
B) reason can substantiate the truth of revelation.
C) religious people must rely on revelation, not reason.
D) reason and revelation conflict.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-The question for people who believe they have received a revelation from God is:

A) How strong is their faith in the truth of the revelation?
B) How strong is their belief in God?
C) How do they know that it is really a revelation from God?
D) How psychologically certain are they that the revelation is true?

Question 5

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-Locke does not believe in God.

Question 6

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-Locke does not believe in revelations from God.

Question 7

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-Locke thinks that believing a proposition to be true makes it true.

Question 8

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-According to Locke, to reject reason in favor of revelation is to put out the light of both.

Question 9

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-Locke accepted religious revelation without question.

Question 10

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-Locke thought that reason should serve the purposes of the Church.

Question 11

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-According to Locke, we should always proportion our belief according to the evidence.

Question 12

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-Locke thought that truth is relative.

Question 13

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-Locke rejected all religious claims.

Question 14

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-Locke thought reason would ultimately support propositions of faith.

Question 15

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-Locke thought "enthusiasm" was necessary to reach any firm conclusion.