Philosophy Quiz

Jane donates to charity without expecting recognition or reward. Kant would describe this action as:

• Self-serving

• Morally good

• A result of childhood influence

• In line with the id

Answer explanation

Kantian ethics emphasizes actions done from duty and moral law. Jane's selfless donation, without seeking recognition, aligns with Kant's view of a morally good action, as it reflects a commitment to doing what is right.

To truly understand herself, Sarah often reflects on her choices and motivations. This approach reflects:

• Hume’s bundle theory of self

• Plato’s rational soul

• Socratic self-examination

• Churchland’s neurophilosophy

Answer explanation

Sarah's reflection on her choices aligns with Socratic self-examination, which emphasizes understanding oneself through questioning and introspection, unlike the other theories that focus on different aspects of self.

Mike believes his thoughts and behaviors are the result of his brain’s chemistry. This aligns with:

• Descartes’ dualism

• Plato’s rational soul

• Churchland’s neurophilosophy

• Kant’s categorical imperative

Answer explanation

Mike's belief that thoughts and behaviors stem from brain chemistry aligns with Churchland's neurophilosophy, which emphasizes the role of neuroscience in understanding the mind, contrasting with dualism and other philosophical views.

When confronted with a decision, Mary asks if her action could be a universal law. This shows she is applying:

• Hume’s empiricism

• Kant’s categorical imperative

• Descartes’ doubt principle

• Freud’s concept of the id

Answer explanation

Mary's approach reflects Kant's categorical imperative, which suggests that one should act only according to maxims that can be universalized. This principle guides moral decision-making by considering the broader implications of actions.

Jenna believes her body and mind are inseparable and intertwined. She follows the ideas of:

• Augustine

• Merleau-Ponty

• Locke

• Ryle

Answer explanation

Jenna's belief in the inseparability of body and mind aligns with Merleau-Ponty's philosophy, which emphasizes the embodied experience and the intertwining of perception and existence, unlike the other thinkers listed.

If a person tries to understand recurring dreams about childhood, Freud might suggest it reveals:

• Childhood creativity

• Rational thoughts

• Unconscious conflicts

• The superego’s influence

Answer explanation

Freud believed that recurring dreams often reflect unresolved unconscious conflicts from childhood. Thus, understanding these dreams can reveal deeper psychological issues rather than just creativity or rational thoughts.

In pursuing justice within society, Plato emphasized:

• Complete freedom of individual desires

• Harmony among the parts of the soul

• Rejection of the material world

• Personal wealth and success

Answer explanation

Plato emphasized that justice arises from harmony among the parts of the soul, where reason, spirit, and appetite work together. This balance is essential for a just society, contrasting with the other options that focus on individualism or materialism.

Descartes' famous phrase "I think, therefore I am" suggests that:

• Existence is guaranteed by thought.

• Reality is known through physical senses.

• Doubt leads to ignorance.

• Life has no meaning.

Answer explanation

Descartes' phrase "I think, therefore I am" emphasizes that the act of thinking is proof of one's existence. Thus, existence is guaranteed by thought, making this the correct choice.

Augustine argued that human nature is fundamentally flawed due to:

• Hume’s impressions and ideas

• Original sin

• Rationalism

• The scientific method

Answer explanation

Augustine believed that human nature is fundamentally flawed due to original sin, which he argued is the inherited condition of sinfulness from Adam and Eve, affecting all humanity.

If someone believes that experience alone shapes the mind, they likely follow:

• Kant’s philosophy

• Locke’s idea of the tabula rasa

• Plato’s Forms

• Descartes’ dualism

Answer explanation

Locke's idea of the tabula rasa posits that the mind is a blank slate shaped by experience. This contrasts with Kant, Plato, and Descartes, who emphasize innate ideas or dualism, making Locke the correct choice.