Question 1

In the Middle Ages understanding that was considered "probable" was not considered a source of knowledge.

Accepted Answer

In the Middle Ages, knowledge was primarily based on certainty and authority, particularly from religious texts and classical sources. "Probable" understanding, lacking certainty, was not considered a reliable source of knowledge.

Question 2

If you were to take a class in critical thinking and you were asked to make a table in which you identify the most common fallacies you make in your thinking; who you commit these fallacies with; what role you are in, this is a case of using third order abstraction.

Accepted Answer

Third order abstraction involves reflecting on one's own thinking and identifying patterns or tendencies in one's own thought processes. In this case, creating a table to identify common fallacies in one's own thinking represents a third order abstraction.

Question 3

Our argument is that the working classes do not use third order abstraction because it is only mental workers that are trained to use the symbol systems that are the foundation for third order abstraction.

Accepted Answer

Third order abstraction is not exclusively used by mental workers or those trained in specific symbol systems; it is a cognitive process that can be developed and utilized across various contexts, including those experienced by the working classes. It involves abstract thinking that can be applied in problem-solving and understanding complex ideas, which is not limited to any particular class or profession.

Question 4

Engaging in financial capitalist exchanges requires symbols acting on symbols independent of particular goods and services.

Accepted Answer

Financial capitalist exchanges involve trading symbols such as stocks, bonds, and currencies, which represent ownership or value of particular goods and services. Therefore, the exchange is based on symbols acting on symbols rather than direct exchange of goods or services.

Question 5

Third order abstraction can be less intelligent if it is used in a social situation that does not require it. An example of this is Albert Einstein being transported into a hunting and gathering society and being expected to hunt and gather.

Accepted Answer

Third order abstraction may be highly intelligent in certain situations but may not be useful in all social contexts. In a hunting and gathering society, practical skills such as hunting and gathering food would be more valuable than abstract thinking.

Question 6

Why would riding on a stagecoach involve more of your senses than being a passenger in a railroad car?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why would riding on a stagecoach involve...

Question 7

Discuss how the evolution of transportation to the dominant use of automobiles over trains promoted individualism. 
Consider:
 a) the change in proportion within cities in the size of streets and sidewalks
 b) the impact of the speed of cars on sense ratios
 c) the use of cars as a refuge from home, school and work
Please draw from your own experience

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss how the evolution of transportation to...

Question 8

Historically there have been at least thirteen institutions that have helped to promote individualism. From the following institutions make cross-connections among institutions in explaining how they promoted individualism. 
Here are the institutions:
a) the printing press (as opposed to manuscripts)
b) the Protestant Reformation (as opposed to Catholicism)
c) nationalism (as opposed to city or village loyalty)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Historically there have been at least thirteen...

Question 9

Explain how the following skills promote individualism:
a) having multiple sources of socialization with conflicting messages
b) a more objective generalized other
c) a greater capacity for situational transformation out of crisis

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how the following skills promote individualism:
a)...

Question 10

You and your friends are arguing about who the best baseball hitter is today. After going back and forth and getting nowhere, one of you says "do you want to make a bet?" The others agree to take the bet. They also agree that the criteria should be "runs batted in", "batting average" and "home runs" in that order. They agree that at the end of the baseball season the player with the highest statistics in these categories is the best baseball player. 
 a) Is this a case of third order abstraction?
 b) Which categories does it come closest to?
 c) If this is not a case of third order abstraction, please indicate why you think it is not.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You and your friends are arguing about...

Question 11

Give an example from your life (not out of the book or from class discussions) of the difference between finance capital and fictitious capital.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Give an example from your life (not...

Question 12

Imagine a more abstract level of social exchange beyond credit cards. Name how each of the phases of abstraction would operate that would justify calling this currency a higher form of abstraction. Be sure to cover each of the three phases of abstraction:
 a) phase of extraction
 b) phase of deliberation
 c) phase of generalization

Accepted Answer

The answer of Imagine a more abstract level of social...

Question 13

Explain why you think industrial capitalist societies have a monotheistic religion.
 If Marx is right that the dominant ideology is that of the ruling class, would it not make sense that there would be many gods competing with each other rather than one supreme god to reflect and justify how the capitalist system operates in the material world? Does the god of monotheism with a plan sound suspiciously like a state socialism? Please explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain why you think industrial capitalist societies...

Quiz 16: Public Spaces, Individualism, and Cognition in the Modern Age