Question 1

Ludwig Wittgenstein
-When Wittgenstein says "A picture is a model of reality," he means

Accepted Answer

Wittgenstein is comparing the structure of language to the structure of a picture. Just as the elements of a picture are arranged to represent the world being pictured, the elements of language are arranged to represent a state of affairs. Therefore, a picture is a model of reality because it represents reality through its structure, just as language represents reality through its structure. Option B is not relevant to Wittgenstein's statement. Option C is incorrect because Wittgenstein does not deny the ability of language to describe reality. Option D is not relevant to the context of the statement.

Question 2

Ludwig Wittgenstein
-Wittgenstein concludes that if someone reads the Tractatus properly,that person will realize that

Accepted Answer

Wittgenstein's conclusion in the Tractatus is that the propositions of the Tractatus are nonsensical, and that their proper understanding leads to the recognition of the limits of language and thought. He argues that metaphysical and ethical propositions have no real meaning, as they attempt to go beyond the bounds of language and logic. Thus, choice A is the best option.

Question 3

Edmund Husserl
-Phenomenology as a science is

Accepted Answer

Husserl's phenomenology is characterized as the a priori study of all possible existence and existences, focusing on the structures of consciousness and the phenomena that appear in acts of consciousness.

Question 4

Martin Heidegger
-According to Heidegger,the proper role for philosophy is

Accepted Answer

Heidegger believed that philosophy's role was to challenge historical being there, or the way in which societies and cultures have developed and maintained their understanding of themselves over time. He believed that this process of questioning and challenging was necessary in order to reveal the underlying assumptions and structures that define our existence and to help us develop new ways of thinking and being. He did not see philosophy as serving a practical or political function in the same way that some other thinkers did.

Question 5

Friedrich Nietzsche
-Pity,according to Nietzsche,is one of the worst traits of Christians because

Accepted Answer

Nietzsche believed that pity (or compassion) was a weakness because it keeps alive that which is weak and miserable, and thus stands in the way of the natural selection of the strong. He believed that Christianity's emphasis on pity and compassion as virtues was a sign of its weakness and decadence. Therefore, the correct answer is C, as it directly aligns with Nietzsche's perspective. The other options either do not accurately reflect his beliefs or do not provide a complete explanation.

Question 6

Ludwig Wittgenstein
-Which of the following best summarizes Wittgenstein's example of a builder calling out "Slab!"?

Accepted Answer

Wittgenstein's example of a builder calling out "Slab!" demonstrates that the meaning and use of a word depend on the context in which it is being used. This suggests that a word cannot have a single definitive meaning, but rather its meaning is determined by its use in language games within specific communities or contexts.

Question 7

Bertrand Russell
-According to Russell,the senses immediately tell us the truth about

Accepted Answer

According to Russell's sense-data theory, the senses only provide us with knowledge of sense-data or "appearances", which are subjective experiences that represent the external world. The senses do not provide direct knowledge of the nature of the objects being sensed, as these may be different from our sense-data of them. The operations of our sense organs are also not directly known to us through our senses. Russell did not believe in the idea of a God whose ideas are reflected in particular things.

Question 8

Jean-Paul Sartre
-Sartre claims that all existentialists agree that "existence precedes essence," which means

Accepted Answer

Sartre's statement that "existence precedes essence" means that humans are born into the world without any pre-existing meaning or purpose. This is because according to existentialism, there is no inherent human nature or essence that determines how people should live their lives. Instead, individuals are free to create their own meaning and purpose through their choices and actions. Therefore, the correct answer is D, that people come into the world without any given meaning.

Question 9

Martin Heidegger
-The process of cutting ourselves off from being or that which is "the essent" began with

Accepted Answer

The translation of "phusis" as "nature" in ancient Greek philosophy marked the beginning of the process of cutting ourselves off from the essential nature of being. This translation shifted the focus from the process of growth and change to the study of the external world as an object to be viewed and analyzed, leading to a separation from our essential nature as part of the natural world.

Question 10

Ludwig Wittgenstein
-In comparing language to games,Wittgenstein argues that

Accepted Answer

Wittgenstein argues that language functions like games in that there is no single rule that applies to all uses of language, emphasizing the diversity and context-dependence of language use.

Question 11

Jean-Paul Sartre
-According to Sartre,if I decide to become a vegetarian I am

Accepted Answer

Sartre's existentialist philosophy posits that when an individual makes a choice, they are implicitly endorsing that choice as the right one for everyone, under the concept of universalizability. This means that by choosing to become a vegetarian, one is acting as if this choice should be universally adopted.

Question 12

Simone De Beauvoir
-When De Beauvoir asks if there “really are any women” she means what?

Accepted Answer

Sartre's statement "existence precedes essence" means that individuals do not have a predetermined essence or nature. Rather, they exist first and then create their own essence through their choices and actions. This idea is the existentialist credo for both Christian and atheist existentialist because it asserts the importance of freedom of choice and responsibility for one's own actions. However, atheistic existentialism is "more coherent" because it does not rely on the idea of a god or higher power to give meaning to existence, which can be seen as contradictory to the idea of individual freedom and responsibility.

Answer: None of the above
 These questions do not relate to Sartre's statement "existence precedes essence" and are unrelated to the topic of existentialism.

Question 13

W.E.B. Dubois
-W.E.B.Dubois' strategy for overcoming his sense of "being a problem" as a young man?

Accepted Answer

Du Bois's initial response to his sense of being "shut out" due to his race was to strive for excellence in order to prove the lie of racial inferiority. As stated in the passage, he "excelled academically" and became a correspondent for a black newspaper while still in high school. He then went on to receive advanced degrees and became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard.

Question 14

Martin Heidegger
-Which of the following is not part of the meaning of being as it was originally understood by the Greeks?

Accepted Answer

Martin Heidegger, in his exploration of the meaning of being, emphasized the concept of being as something that emerges, comes to be, and continues in existence. He did not characterize being as something that changes based on our questions. Instead, Heidegger's focus was on the inherent qualities of being itself, rather than its alteration due to external inquiries.

Question 15

Ludwig Wittgenstein
-Augustine's description of how one learns language is

Accepted Answer

Augustine's description of how one learns language is a legitimate description of one use of language. He argues that children learn words by associating them with things and situations, therefore implying that language is not innate, but rather learned through experience. This view is still considered by many linguists today as a valid explanation for how children acquire language.

Question 16

Edmund Husserl
-Which of the following is not a feature of the phenomenological description of an event:

Accepted Answer

The phenomenological description of an event does not focus on the objectifying "position" of the event. Instead, it focuses on the subjective experience of the event, including both the description of the experiencing and the experienced. The event is typically considered to be an internal experience, rather than an external phenomenon.

Question 17

W.E.B. Dubois
-All of the following are difficulties that recently freed black people had in Dubois' day except:

Accepted Answer

Premature dispersion throughout white society is not one of the difficulties that Dubois discussed. The other answer choices (poverty, ignorance due to lack of education, and the stigma of a decayed family structure) are all difficulties that Dubois identified as challenges faced by recently freed black people.

Question 18

Martin Heidegger
-Heidegger sees a spiritual decline of the earth that

Accepted Answer

Heidegger believes that the spiritual decline of the earth is so advanced that it may not even be noticeable. This is evident in his concept of "the abandonment of Being" where humans have lost connection with the essence of being and have become too caught up in technology and materialism.

Question 19

Bertrand Russell
-Which of the following is not known by acquaintance?

Accepted Answer

Bertrand Russell's theory of knowledge distinguishes between knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description. Russell held that we are directly acquainted with our own sensations, memories, and introspections, as well as with certain universals. Physical objects, however, are known by description and not by direct acquaintance.

Question 20

Bertrand Russell
-The chief value of philosophy,says Russell,is

Accepted Answer

Russell emphasizes that the chief value of philosophy is the ability to free individuals from narrowness of thought and allow for contemplation and reflection on important questions, rather than providing certain or practical answers.

Quiz 1: Ancient Greek Philosophy

Ludwig Wittgenstein -When Wittgenstein says "A picture is a model of reality," he means

Ludwig Wittgenstein -Wittgenstein concludes that if someone reads the Tractatus properly,that person will realize that

Edmund Husserl -Phenomenology as a science is

Martin Heidegger -According to Heidegger,the proper role for philosophy is

Friedrich Nietzsche -Pity,according to Nietzsche,is one of the worst traits of Christians because

Ludwig Wittgenstein -Which of the following best summarizes Wittgenstein's example of a builder calling out "Slab!"?

Bertrand Russell -According to Russell,the senses immediately tell us the truth about

Jean-Paul Sartre -Sartre claims that all existentialists agree that "existence precedes essence," which means

Martin Heidegger -The process of cutting ourselves off from being or that which is "the essent" began with

Ludwig Wittgenstein -In comparing language to games,Wittgenstein argues that

Jean-Paul Sartre -According to Sartre,if I decide to become a vegetarian I am

Simone De Beauvoir -When De Beauvoir asks if there “really are any women” she means what?

W.E.B. Dubois -W.E.B.Dubois' strategy for overcoming his sense of "being a problem" as a young man?

Martin Heidegger -Which of the following is not part of the meaning of being as it was originally understood by the Greeks?

Ludwig Wittgenstein -Augustine's description of how one learns language is

Edmund Husserl -Which of the following is not a feature of the phenomenological description of an event:

W.E.B. Dubois -All of the following are difficulties that recently freed black people had in Dubois' day except:

Martin Heidegger -Heidegger sees a spiritual decline of the earth that

Bertrand Russell -Which of the following is not known by acquaintance?

Bertrand Russell -The chief value of philosophy,says Russell,is