Question 1

The sixteenth-century Dutch philosopher Erasmus wrote a book called In Praise of Folly, which was a celebration of human foolishness.

Accepted Answer

Erasmus did indeed write a book titled In Praise of Folly, which was a satirical work that criticized society and celebrated the value of folly or foolishness in human behavior.

Question 2

If life is a game, then like a game its significance is located entirely in the end or goal, which is winning.

Accepted Answer

Life is not just about winning or achieving a specific end goal. It is a complex journey with various experiences, challenges, and opportunities for growth and learning. The significance of life can be found in the process, relationships, and personal development, in addition to any eventual achievements.

Question 3

T he question "What is the meaning of life?" is hard to answer because the word meaning is itself ambiguous.

Accepted Answer

The word meaning can refer to different things, making it ambiguous and difficult to answer the question definitively.

Question 4

The belief that the meaning of your life is a "calling" is one expression of the idea of "Life as a Mission."

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately describes the concept of "Life as a Mission" where one believes that their life has a specific purpose or calling.

Question 5

The images we use to talk about life define the meaning we find, or don't find, in it.

Accepted Answer

The images and metaphors that we use to describe and understand life can shape our perceptions and interpretations of its meaning. For example, if we see life as a journey, we might approach it with a sense of purpose and direction, striving to reach certain milestones along the way. Alternatively, if we see life as a struggle, we might feel more inclined to view challenges and obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning. Ultimately, the images we use to talk about life can have a profound impact on how we experience and understand it.

Question 6

People who think that children are the basis for a meaningful life tend to project abstractly into the future to a utopia, a place of total peace and happiness.

Accepted Answer

This is because they believe that having children and raising them to be responsible and caring adults will contribute to a better future for society as a whole. They envision a world where everyone is happy and fulfilled, and their children are a key part of that vision.

Question 7

Sometimes the meaning of something (a sign, a word)is what it refers to. If the meaning of one's life refers to something, then what would give one's life meaning would be contextual, as in a linguistic reference.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The meaning of a linguistic reference is often based on the context in which it is used, and the meaning of one's life can also be contextual, depending on what one's life is referring to or aiming for.

Question 8

German philosophers in the nineteenth century talked about life being a Bildungsroman, a story of personal development.

Accepted Answer

German philosophers like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Nietzsche viewed life as a Bildungsroman, a story of personal development and growth.

Question 9

Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello and Faust are comedies.

Accepted Answer

False. Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and Faust are all tragedies, not comedies.

Question 10

Living one's life as a work of art suggests that what counts is found more in the results than in the activities that produce it.

Accepted Answer

Living one's life as a work of art means valuing the process and the activities that produce it as much as the final outcomes. It is about creating a meaningful and fulfilling life by expressing oneself and one's values in everything they do. Therefore, the focus is not just on the results, but also on the journey towards achieving them.

Question 11

The word nirvana is a Sanskrit word for "suffering."

Accepted Answer

Nirvana is a Sanskrit word for a state of enlightenment or liberation from suffering, not for suffering itself.

Question 12

Someone who views life as a disease presupposes some conception of health.

Accepted Answer

The statement implies that there is a standard or ideal state of being ("health") that is being contrasted with the negative view of life as a disease. Therefore, the person holding this view must have some idea of what "health" looks like.

Question 13

Believing that the meaning of one's life is found in an afterlife implies that one views this life as the basis of one's significance.

Accepted Answer

Believing that the meaning of one's life is found in an afterlife implies that one views the afterlife as the basis of one's significance, not necessarily this life.

Question 14

For the Greek heroes, honor was less important than other values, like compassion.

Accepted Answer

Honor was a central value for Greek heroes, often motivating their actions and decisions. Compassion and other values were also important, but honor held a significant place in their culture.

Question 15

Religious believers like Saint Augustine and Martin Luther asked questions about the meaning of life less persistently than atheists.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not necessarily true as individuals may vary in their questioning about the meaning of life regardless of their religious beliefs or lack thereof.

Question 16

Strictly speaking, the question of the meaning of life is purely theoretical, and there is no connection between your vision of the meaning of life and the life you will actually lead.

Accepted Answer

The perception of the meaning of life can significantly influence an individual's choices, behaviors, and overall lifestyle, thereby affecting the life they lead.

Question 17

Someone who devotes his life to climbing mountains, taking risks, and even risking his life, is likely to see his life as an adventure.

Accepted Answer

Someone who actively pursues exciting or dangerous experiences is likely to view their life as an adventure.

Question 18

Nihilism is the belief that life has no meaning.

Accepted Answer

Nihilism is a philosophical belief that argues that life has no inherent meaning or purpose.

Question 19

Altruism is acting for the benefit of oneself, even to the exclusion of others' benefit.

Accepted Answer

Altruism is the opposite of acting for the benefit of oneself. It is the selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Question 20

The question about the meaning of life most typically arises during happy times, when we have the luxury of time to reflect.

Accepted Answer

The question about the meaning of life typically arises during times of crisis or existential angst, rather than during happy times when we are preoccupied with enjoying life.

Quiz 2: The Meaning of Life