Question 1

Both important decisions and trivial incidents can inspire philosophical questions.

Accepted Answer

Philosophical questions can arise from a range of experiences, including both significant events and everyday occurrences.

Question 2

Some psychologists,such as B.F.Skinner,believed that there are no such things as "minds," but that people do nothing more than "behave," which is just moving their bodies and making sounds according to certain stimulations from the environment.

Accepted Answer

B.F. Skinner was a behaviorist who believed that people's behavior is shaped by environmental factors, and therefore he did not believe in the concept of a separate, immaterial "mind." He believed that behavior could be studied and understood by observing the stimuli and responses that occur in the environment.

Question 3

It is impossible that only one person should know the meaning of a word in English; a word has meaning in English,because English speakers agree basically on its meaning.

Accepted Answer

A word gains its meaning from the general agreement of speakers of a language. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that only one person should know the meaning of a word in English.

Question 4

In the ancient Greek tragedy Iphigenia,the warrior Agamemnon assured victory in the Trojan War by sacrificing one innocent child.

Accepted Answer

This is a true statement about the plot of the ancient Greek tragedy Iphigenia. Agamemnon sacrifices his daughter Iphigenia to appease the goddess Artemis and ensure favorable winds for the Greek fleet to sail to Troy.

Question 5

It is impossible to imagine societies in which people are happy and prosperous,while not being free.

Accepted Answer

Happiness and prosperity in a society can be influenced by various factors such as economic stability, social welfare, and community support, which do not solely depend on the level of freedom as perceived in liberal democracies. Some societies may prioritize social harmony, security, or economic development over individual freedoms and still report high levels of happiness and prosperity among their citizens.

Question 6

The point about imagining whether we'd step into the "happiness box" is to show that we might be dreaming even if think we are awake.

Accepted Answer

The "happiness box" thought experiment primarily explores the value of authentic experiences and happiness versus simulated or artificial happiness, rather than questioning the nature of reality or whether we might be dreaming.

Question 7

Descartes' approach to philosophy was to doubt everything until he could prove it to his own satisfaction.The first premise of his philosophy was
A) that God exists.
B) the indubitability of his own existence.
C) that the world exists.
D) that other people exist.

Accepted Answer

Descartes' first premise was the indubitability of his own existence, famously expressed in the phrase "Cogito, ergo sum" or "I think, therefore I am." This foundational assertion served as the basis for all his subsequent reasoning and philosophical inquiry. The existence of God, the world, and other people were all subject to doubt until he could establish their existence with certainty.

Question 8

Philosophy,very often,proceeds through
A) faith.
B) making a series of statements,without supplying underlying reasons.
C) disagreement.
D) achieving universal consensus.

Accepted Answer

Disagreement is inherent in philosophy as it involves critical thinking, questioning assumptions, and examining different perspectives. Philosophers often engage in arguments and debates to arrive at conclusions, which can lead to further exploration and discovery. Faith and universal consensus are not essential to philosophy, and making statements without supplying underlying reasons goes against the fundamental principles of critical reasoning.

Question 9

Scientists tell us that we are right when we believe that ordinary material objects,like chairs,are solid objects.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scientists tell us that we are right...

Question 10

Unlike his contemporary,Pelagius,Augustine thought it was more important to have faith than to do good works.

Accepted Answer

Augustine emphasized the importance of faith and the grace of God for salvation, contrasting with Pelagius, who stressed the role of free will and the necessity of performing good works.

Question 11

If you pinch yourself and feel it,that's sure proof that you are not dreaming,but are indeed awake.

Accepted Answer

Feeling pain or sensations in dreams is possible, so pinching yourself and feeling it is not a reliable method to distinguish between being awake and dreaming.

Question 12

An important philosophical question is whether a good person (one who does no evil and does everything he or she is supposed to do)would necessarily be happy.

Accepted Answer

A good person may not necessarily be happy because happiness is subjective and can be influenced by various factors beyond one's control, such as life circumstances, personal experiences, and genetic predispositions.

Question 13

Libertarians appear to embrace determinism because they believe that when a soldier panics,he has in some sense chosen to panic and should be held responsible for his actions.

Accepted Answer

Libertarians do not embrace determinism, as they believe in free will and personal responsibility. They would not necessarily argue that a soldier who panics has chosen to panic, but rather that he has the ability to choose how to respond to his fear and should be held responsible for his actions in that moment.

Question 14

Rene Descartes' philosophical method was based on a clear authority structure which one already knows is reliable.

Accepted Answer

Descartes' philosophical method was based on doubt and questioning established authorities, seeking certainty through reason and evidence rather than relying on pre-existing authority structures.

Question 15

His respect for the laws and his own sense of honor were so strong that Socrates decided the most important thing for him to do would be to show his belief in his own principles by dying for them.In this respect,he is like
A) Nathan Hale.
B) Descartes.
C) St.Augustine.
D) Jesus Christ.

Accepted Answer

Nathan Hale, like Socrates, is known for his willingness to die for his principles and beliefs, famously stating, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

Question 16

It is sometimes suggested that what makes human beings unique is that,unlike cows or mosquitos,
A) we have sensation.
B) we are reflective.
C) we are biologically alive.
D) we lack a purpose.

Accepted Answer

While all options listed are true of human beings, what sets us apart from non-human organisms is our capacity for reflection and higher-level thinking. This includes abilities such as self-awareness, introspection, and the ability to reason and contemplate abstract concepts. Cows and mosquitos, for example, do not have the same degree of cognitive capacity and are driven primarily by instinct and biological needs. Therefore, the best choice is B, we are reflective.

Question 17

The point behind philosophical questions in general is to teach us how to arrive at answers that are so clear and convincing that we will cease our questioning.

Accepted Answer

The point behind philosophical questions is not necessarily to arrive at a definitive answer but rather to engage in critical thinking and inquiry. Philosophical questions often lead to more questions and different perspectives rather than clear-cut answers.

Question 18

The old quip,"There are no atheists in foxholes," seems to mean that when faced with death,we all search for some ultimate source of support.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that when faced with a life-threatening situation, people may turn to spirituality or religion for comfort and support, implying that even those who may have previously identified as atheists may seek solace in religion during times of crisis.

Question 19

The philosopher Socrates did not willingly go to his death,because he believed he had the right to life.

Accepted Answer

Socrates willingly accepted his death sentence and drank the poisonous hemlock, as he believed in upholding the laws and values of the society, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

Question 20

St.Augustine and Pelagius argued about whether
A) it is more important to believe in God or to do good works.
B) God exists.
C) there is a soul.
D) animals can be saved.

Accepted Answer

St. Augustine and Pelagius argued about whether salvation is achieved through a person's faith in God or through their good works. Pelagius believed that humans have the ability to achieve perfection through their own free will and good works, while St. Augustine believed that humans are inherently flawed and require God's grace to achieve salvation. Eventually, the Catholic Church sided with St. Augustine's views and condemned Pelagianism as a heresy.

Quiz 1: Philosophical Questions