Question 1

For Locke,the largest amount of human knowledge was of which type?

Accepted Answer

For John Locke, the largest amount of human knowledge was of the sensitive type. Locke believed that most of our knowledge comes from sensory experience, emphasizing the importance of the external world in the formation of ideas.

Question 2

Locke withheld publication of Two Treatises of Government and Essay Concerning Human Understanding for many years primarily because:

Accepted Answer

Locke was concerned that the political ideas in his works would be seen as a direct challenge to the traditional views of the monarchy and the Church of England, which could have serious political consequences for him or others associated with him. He also worried that if he published his ideas too soon, they might be seen as premature or incomplete, so he waited until he had refined them further.

Question 3

Locke suggested ___________ as a metaphor for the human mind at birth.

Accepted Answer

Both options A and B are correct because they both describe the same metaphor that Locke used to describe the human mind at birth.

Question 4

Locke's Simple Ideas were defined as:

Accepted Answer

Locke's Simple Ideas were defined as ideas deriving from the earliest sensations and reflections occurring in an infant, such as the ideas of sensation (e.g. vision, sound, touch) and ideas of reflection (e.g. perception, thinking, doubting). Locke believed that all complex ideas are ultimately built upon these simple ideas.

Question 5

Leibniz met and was impressed by the philosopher _________,whose pantheism held that _________.

Accepted Answer

Leibniz met and was impressed by the philosopher Spinoza, whose pantheism held that God is the entire universe.

Question 6

Locke's initial purpose in writing his Essay Concerning Human Understanding was to discover:

Accepted Answer

Locke's main purpose in writing his Essay Concerning Human Understanding was to explore the nature of human knowledge and understanding, and to determine the limits of what the human mind can know. He aimed to provide a foundation for scientific inquiry and to refute the idea of innate knowledge or ideas. His focus was not on evaluating religious doctrines, discussing governmental systems or creating a philosophical system.

Question 7

Which two important mathematical discoveries were made by Leibniz as a young man in Paris?

Accepted Answer

Leibniz made significant contributions to mathematics, including the development of binary arithmetic, which is the foundation of modern computer arithmetic, and the infinitesimal calculus, independently of Isaac Newton. These discoveries were pivotal in the advancement of mathematics and its applications.

Question 8

All of the following are considered members of the "British associationist" tradition of mental philosophy except:

Accepted Answer

Richard Busby is not considered a member of the British associationist tradition of mental philosophy. He was a classical scholar and headmaster of Westminster School, but did not contribute to the philosophical movement. The other three options, George Berkeley, David Hume, and David Hartley, are all considered important figures within this tradition.

Question 9

In Locke's terminology,sensory impressions such as sounds,colors,temperatures,tastes,and odors are called:

Accepted Answer

Locke distinguished between primary qualities, which are inherent in objects (such as solidity, extension, motion, number, and figure), and secondary qualities, which are not actually in the objects themselves but are the powers of objects to produce various sensations in us, such as sounds, colors, temperatures, tastes, and odors.

Question 10

When we recognize the difference (disagreement)between things,for example differentiating something black from something white,Locke would say we are using what type of knowledge?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When we recognize the difference (disagreement)between things,for...

Question 11

Locke's Complex Ideas were defined as:

Accepted Answer

Locke's complex ideas were formed by combining simple ideas in different ways. Simple ideas are basic elements of thought like colors, sounds, tastes or shapes, which can be combined to form more complex thoughts such as ideas of justice or identity. Therefore, choice A, ideas produced when simple ideas are combined by the mind in varying combinations, is the best choice.

Question 12

For Locke,the primary qualities of objects:

Accepted Answer

According to Locke, primary qualities truly exist within the objects themselves. These primary qualities are characteristics such as shape, size, and motion, that are independent of our perception of them. In contrast, secondary qualities like color, taste, and smell are dependent on our sensory perception and do not exist independently in the objects themselves.

Question 13

When Gottfried Leibniz first read John Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding,what was his reaction?

Accepted Answer

Leibniz appreciated Locke's work but believed that Locke's emphasis on empiricism neglected the role of innate ideas and rationalism, which Leibniz considered important.

Question 14

"Whig History" refers to:

Accepted Answer

Whig History is a type of history that presents the past in a celebratory manner, often glorifying the actions of the victors or heroes and emphasizing progress towards the present. It tends to overlook or minimize negative aspects of history and can be seen as biased towards a particular political, social, or cultural perspective.

Question 15

Who was an early scientist who initiated the practice of bringing together groups of investigators for scientific discussions?

Accepted Answer

Robert Boyle is known for initiating the practice of bringing together groups of investigators for scientific discussions, which eventually led to the founding of the Royal Society of London. John Locke was a philosopher, William Molyneux was a natural philosopher, and Anthony Ashley Cooper was a politician and philosopher.

Question 16

Locke's version of the Social Contract Theory differed from that of his predecessor Hobbes in which way?

Accepted Answer

Locke's version differed from Hobbes' in that he believed the Social Contract was a rational choice by the governed, who could break the contract under conditions of severe governmental abuse. This is in contrast to Hobbes' belief that the contract could not be broken, as the authority granted to the government by the governed was absolute and had to be obeyed under all circumstances. Additionally, neither philosopher saw the contract as a formal written document, but rather as an implicit agreement between the government and the governed.

Question 17

Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding asserted that the mind:

Accepted Answer

According to Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding, the mind is furnished with all of its ideas from experience (choice A). However, he also believed that the mind is sometimes inactive, such as during sleep or unconsciousness (choice B). Therefore, both choices A and B are correct, making choice D the best answer. Locke did not believe that the mind is constantly active (choice C).

Question 18

The hypothetical question of whether a man who was blind from birth but suddenly granted the gift of sight would immediately be able to distinguish a sphere from a cube without touching them was posed to Locke by _________,whose answer was ________.

Accepted Answer

The question was posed to Locke by William Molyneux, and the answer given by Molyneux himself was no, the man would not immediately be able to distinguish a sphere from a cube without touching them.

Question 19

Sensations such as redness,loudness,coldness,or saltiness were considered what type of ideas by Locke?

Accepted Answer

Locke believed that there were two types of ideas - simple ideas and complex ideas. Simple ideas were the basic building blocks of perception, and were derived from sensory experience. Sensations like redness, loudness, coldness, or saltiness would be classified as simple ideas, as they are directly perceived through the senses.

Question 20

Locke and Leibniz were alike in that both of them:

Accepted Answer

Both Locke and Leibniz were dependent on wealthy patrons for financial support and to further their intellectual pursuits.

Quiz 2: Pioneering Philosophers of Mind: Descartes,Locke,and Leibniz