AnswersPhilosophy The Big PictureUnit 6: The Rise of Modern Western Philosophy

Unit 6: The Rise of Modern Western Philosophy — Final exam Answers

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21
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What BEST explains what Bertrand Russell meant when he wrote, “This clears up two millennia of muddle-headedness about existence, beginning with Plato.”

A
Plato is highly overrated and should be replaced by Russell.
B
All of philosophy had been considering existence instead of ethics.
C
Russell’s work resolves all past philosophical questions on the topic.
D
No one significant had written philosophy between Plato and Russell.
22
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What do pragmatism and analytic philosophy have in common?

A
They both reject the idea of perfection.
B
They both were popular in the late 1800s.
C
They both require that ideas be functional.
D
They both depend on natural consequences.
23

What is the difference between logical positivism and ordinary language philosophy?

A
Logical positivism completely disproved ordinary language philosophy.
B
Ordinary language philosophy eliminated the need for logical positivism.
C
Logical positivism focuses on ethics and ordinary language philosophy did not.
D
Ordinary language philosophy focuses on common usage and logical positivism structure.
24

Would a pragmatist argue with Nietzsche’s idea that God is dead?

A
Not if Nietzsche found it to be a useful idea.
B
Yes. They did not see Nietzsche’s philosophy as valid.
C
Yes. If Nietzsche believed it, pragmatists would not.
D
No. Pragmatists believe that the role of God is unimportant.
25

What do Socrates and Russell have in common?

A
They were both very concerned with ethical behavior.
B
They both lived in a way that prioritize beliefs over security.
C
They both believed that theories could not be proven in this world.
D
They both questioned the relationship between the individual and the state.
26

Although Russell and Wittgenstein focused on different philosophical questions, they are both considered analytic philosophers. Why is this the case?

A
Analysis is the method, not the topic, of their study.
B
Everyone from their era is considered an analytic philosopher.
C
They both worked in England, and that was the dominant thought there.
D
They sought to distinguish themselves from the negativity of earlier philosophers.
27

What criteria would Sartre use to judge his own work?

A
if it was nominated for prizes
B
if it was widely read by the public
C
if it was read centuries later
D
if Sartre himself found it satisfying
28

Heidegger’s personal choices are questionable, but his philosophy is respected.

A
True
B
False
29

How does Sartre’s rejection of the Nobel Prize reflect his philosophy?

A
Sartre did not value society’s opinion.
B
Sartre thought that the prize was meaningless.
C
Sartre did not believe that anyone can judge others.
D
Sartre wanted to reject authority whenever it appeared.
30

Would an existentialist argue that the study of philosophy was a good use of a life?

A
Yes, if society valued the results of the study.
B
Yes, but only if the individual found it meaningful.
C
No, a life should be spent minimizing the role of anxiety.
D
No, there is no way that philosophy could create a meaningful life.
31

How does pragmatism differ from the utilitarianism of the previous era?

A
Utilitarianism did not consider rights and pragmatism did.
B
Pragmatism is concerned with function, utilitarianism with happiness.
C
Utilitarianism was created in England and pragmatism came from Germany.
D
Pragmatism applies to everyone, but utilitarianism is concerned with the upper class.
32

Imagine that a social reformer came up with a logically sound theory that proved raising minimum wage would help society. Would William James accept this idea?

A
Not without solid evidence that it worked.
B
No, he thought that people need to help themselves.
C
Yes, because he believed that social good was important.
D
No, he did not think that more money meant greater happiness.
33

In his early work, Wittgenstein was not concerned with the role of ethics. Why not?

A
Ethics depend on words like “good” or “bad” that cannot be facts.
B
Other philosophers had covered this ground, so he did not need to add to it.
C
Ethics were not usually part of the 20th-century philosophical framework.
D
He lived in an era or relative peace and stability, so they did not seem important.
34

Which explains the relationship between phenomenology and reduction?

A
Reduction is used to refute the role of phenomenology.
B
Phenomenology requires more effort than reductionism.
C
Without reduction, phenomenology would not be possible.
D
Both aim to understand human existence.
35

Which explains the relationship between Charles Peirce and William James?

A
James thought pragmatism was limited by Peirce’s ideas.
B
Peirce developed pragmatism, and James made it popular.
C
James developed pragmatism because he completely disagreed with Peirce.
D
Peirce is considered the father of pragmatism, but James never read his work.
36

What is the BEST interpretation of the idea that “the truth of ideas must be assessed by observing how the ideas actually affect people”?

A
If you seek truth, you must first have a good idea.
B
There is no way to tell the truth about ideas until they fail.
C
Ideas cannot be evaluated until there is proof of their outcome.
D
Truth only exists in the realm of ideas and is not observable.
37

Imagine that a person was feeling depressed and thought their life was meaningless. Would an existentialist want that person to remain depressed about the meaninglessness of life?

A
Yes, the existentialist would feel that was a wise individual.
B
Yes, the existentialists were notoriously pessimistic and depressed.
C
No, the existentialist would highlight the inherent goodness of man.
D
No, the existentialist would understand but think that the person should find meaning.
38

According to existentialism, what conclusion could you draw about a person who repeatedly chooses to be a criminal?

A
The person has a criminal nature.
B
The person is lacking faith and needs religion.
C
The person has been treated poorly by society.
D
The person has a different moral structure than most.
39

How did Wittgenstein’s ideas about language change as he aged?

A
He realized that concepts can exist outside of language.
B
He shifted his ideas to apply to the use of language rather than structure.
C
He decided that language was less important than he previously thought.
D
He concluded that language was a bit deceptive in how it portrayed meaning.
40

Why is William James’s work considered empiricism?

A
It depends on logic.
B
It relies on observation.
C
It is a form of pragmatism.
D
It accepts all science as true.

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