Question 1

Camus says, "Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of
A) philosophy."
B) modernism."
C) the arts."
D) science."

Accepted Answer

Camus famously stated that judging whether life is or is worth living is the fundamental question of philosophy, reflecting his existentialist views on the importance of confronting the absurdity of existence.

Question 2

Life's value or meaning must be distinguished from
A) internal meaning.
B) external meaning.
C) happiness and moral rightness.
D) feelings.

Accepted Answer

Life's value or meaning is a distinct concept from happiness and moral rightness, as these are aspects of life's experience or ethical evaluation, rather than its inherent value or meaning.

Question 3

Meaning in life does not necessarily accompany
A) life.
B) time.
C) attitudes.
D) moral rightness.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Meaning in life does not necessarily accompany
A)...

Question 4

For most people, the term meaning in "meaning of life" refers to
A) internal meaning.
B) external meaning.
C) philosophy.
D) the Bible.

Accepted Answer

The answer of For most people, the term meaning in...

Question 5

People who believe humans can have a purposeful life only if God created them with a purpose are
A) always religious.
B) never religious.
C) religious and nonreligious.
D) sectarian.

Accepted Answer

Belief in a purposeful life created by God can be held by both religious and nonreligious individuals, as it pertains to personal philosophy rather than strict religious adherence.

Question 6

Pessimists regarding life's meaning believe that life can have no meaning if
A) God exists.
B) external meaning is nonexistent.
C) internal meaning is possible.
D) internal meaning is nonexistent.

Accepted Answer

Pessimists argue that life lacks meaning if there is no external meaning, as they believe meaning must come from outside oneself or beyond human existence.

Question 7

Before Tolstoy experienced his Christian conversion, he was
A) loathed by neighbors and friends.
B) estranged from his wife and children.
C) prosperous and famous.
D) financially desperate.

Accepted Answer

Before his Christian conversion, Leo Tolstoy was indeed prosperous and famous, enjoying success from his literary works.

Question 8

_______ said, "The longer you live the more clearly you feel that, on the whole, life is a disappointment, nay, a cheat."
A) Darrow
B) Tolstoy
C) Hesse
D) Schopenhauer

Accepted Answer

Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher known for his pessimistic philosophy, made this statement reflecting his view that life is fundamentally filled with suffering and disappointment.

Question 9

_______ said, "I saw that [the life of the working masses] was life itself and that the meaning given to this life was truth, and I accepted it."
A) Schopenhauer
B) Baggini
C) Tolstoy
D) Tillich

Accepted Answer

This quote is attributed to Leo Tolstoy, reflecting his philosophical views on the authentic and meaningful life of the working masses.

Question 10

According to a poll, _______ % of secular, nonreligious, or atheistic people thought their lives had an important meaning or purpose.
A) 83
B) 21
C) 63
D) 11

Accepted Answer

A poll indicated that 83% of secular, nonreligious, or atheistic people believed their lives had an important meaning or purpose.

Question 11

_______ asked, "Is it better to be slaves [of God] with a role in the universe or to be free people left to create a role for ourselves?"
A) Darrow
B) Edwards
C) Baggini
D) Camus

Accepted Answer

Julian Baggini, a contemporary philosopher, raises this question to explore the tension between determinism and free will, and the implications of each for finding meaning and purpose in life.

Question 12

_______ said, "Most of us would say without hesitation that a person's life had meaning if we knew that he devoted himself to a cause."
A) Baggini
B) Tolstoy
C) Camus
D) Edwards

Accepted Answer

The answer of _______ said, "Most of us would say...

Question 13

Most who have thought about it believe that questions concerning the meaning of human existence are
A) not at all relevant.
B) meaningful only for the religious.
C) extremely important and relevant.
D) irrelevant.

Accepted Answer

Questions concerning the meaning of human existence are generally considered extremely important and relevant, as they touch on fundamental aspects of human life, purpose, and understanding.

Question 14

The concept of "the meaning of life" is, in common usage, vague and slippery.

Accepted Answer

The concept of "the meaning of life" is often considered vague and slippery because it can vary greatly depending on individual beliefs, cultural backgrounds, and philosophical perspectives, making it difficult to define universally.

Question 15

Philosophers distinguish life's value or meaning from happiness and moral rightness.

Accepted Answer

Philosophers often differentiate between the concepts of life's value or meaning, happiness (or well-being), and moral rightness, arguing that these are distinct aspects of human experience and inquiry.

Question 16

There are many people who seem to lead meaningful lives without relying on belief in an external being or force to confer meaning.

Accepted Answer

Many individuals find meaning through personal achievements, relationships, community involvement, and other secular or humanistic avenues, independent of belief in a supernatural entity.

Question 17

Edwards says that if life is meaningful, then it is meaningful no matter how long or short it is.

Accepted Answer

Edwards argues that the meaningfulness of life does not depend on its duration but on its content and the values it embodies, suggesting that a life can be meaningful regardless of whether it is long or short.

Question 18

Often the impetus for reflection on the meaning of life is a disturbing thought.

Accepted Answer

Reflection on life's meaning is frequently triggered by unsettling or profound experiences, prompting individuals to contemplate their existence and purpose.

Question 19

It's possible someone could hand you the meaning of life as a gift.

Accepted Answer

The meaning of life is a philosophical question regarding the significance of existence or consciousness, and its answer varies greatly among different cultures, religions, philosophies, and individuals. It is not a tangible item that can be handed to someone as a gift.

Question 20

For many people, life can be meaningful if they come to see their goals or purposes as inherently valuable or worthwhile.

Accepted Answer

Many people find meaning in life by pursuing goals or purposes that they consider to be inherently valuable or worthwhile, as this gives them a sense of direction and fulfillment.

Quiz 9: The Meaning of Life

Camus says, "Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of

Life's value or meaning must be distinguished from

Meaning in life does not necessarily accompany

For most people, the term meaning in "meaning of life" refers to

People who believe humans can have a purposeful life only if God created them with a purpose are

Pessimists regarding life's meaning believe that life can have no meaning if

Before Tolstoy experienced his Christian conversion, he was

_______ said, "The longer you live the more clearly you feel that, on the whole, life is a disappointment, nay, a cheat."

_______ said, "I saw that [the life of the working masses] was life itself and that the meaning given to this life was truth, and I accepted it."

According to a poll, _______ % of secular, nonreligious, or atheistic people thought their lives had an important meaning or purpose.

_______ asked, "Is it better to be slaves [of God] with a role in the universe or to be free people left to create a role for ourselves?"

_______ said, "Most of us would say without hesitation that a person's life had meaning if we knew that he devoted himself to a cause."

Most who have thought about it believe that questions concerning the meaning of human existence are