Straighterline Introduction to Philosophy
Final Study Questions and Answers |
Latest Version | 2024/2025 | 100%
Verified
What is the main focus of existentialist philosophy, and how does it differ from other
philosophical approaches?
✔✔ Existentialism focuses on individual freedom, choice, and responsibility, emphasizing
subjective experience, unlike other approaches that prioritize objective or abstract principles.
How does Immanuel Kant's concept of the "categorical imperative" function as a guide for moral
action?
✔✔ The categorical imperative requires actions based on maxims that can be universally
applied, treating others as ends, not means.
What is the significance of Plato's Allegory of the Cave in understanding his theory of Forms?
✔✔ The Allegory illustrates the difference between the world of appearances and the world of
Forms, showing that true knowledge comes from understanding eternal realities.
1
,How does John Stuart Mill differentiate between higher and lower pleasures in his utilitarian
ethical theory?
✔✔ Mill considers higher pleasures, which are intellectual and moral, more valuable than lower,
primarily physical pleasures.
What is the central idea of Descartes' famous statement "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I
am") in his philosophy?
✔✔ Descartes argues that the act of thinking proves one's existence, serving as the foundation
for all knowledge.
How does Aristotle's concept of "virtue ethics" define moral character and virtuous behavior?
✔✔ Virtue ethics emphasizes developing good character traits through habitual practice, with
virtue being the mean between extremes.
What is the problem of evil, and how is it addressed in the context of theistic philosophy?
✔✔ The problem of evil questions God's existence given evil's presence, addressed through free
will, evil as contrast, or soul-making arguments.
How does Thomas Hobbes' view of the social contract differ from that of John Locke?
2
, ✔✔ Hobbes sees the social contract as surrendering freedoms for order, while Locke sees it as
protecting natural rights with limited government power.
What is the primary argument of Anselm's ontological proof for the existence of God?
✔✔ Anselm argues that God's existence is implied by the concept of God as the greatest
conceivable being.
How does Hume challenge the notion of causality in his philosophical inquiry?
✔✔ Hume argues causality is based on habit, not logical necessity, as we cannot perceive the
causal connection itself.
Aristotle's primary area of interest was ✔✔metaphysics.
Which of the following is not one of the ten basic categories Aristotle used to describe the ways
in which humans think about things? ✔✔weight
How many souls did Aristotle believe humans have? ✔✔three
3
Final Study Questions and Answers |
Latest Version | 2024/2025 | 100%
Verified
What is the main focus of existentialist philosophy, and how does it differ from other
philosophical approaches?
✔✔ Existentialism focuses on individual freedom, choice, and responsibility, emphasizing
subjective experience, unlike other approaches that prioritize objective or abstract principles.
How does Immanuel Kant's concept of the "categorical imperative" function as a guide for moral
action?
✔✔ The categorical imperative requires actions based on maxims that can be universally
applied, treating others as ends, not means.
What is the significance of Plato's Allegory of the Cave in understanding his theory of Forms?
✔✔ The Allegory illustrates the difference between the world of appearances and the world of
Forms, showing that true knowledge comes from understanding eternal realities.
1
,How does John Stuart Mill differentiate between higher and lower pleasures in his utilitarian
ethical theory?
✔✔ Mill considers higher pleasures, which are intellectual and moral, more valuable than lower,
primarily physical pleasures.
What is the central idea of Descartes' famous statement "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I
am") in his philosophy?
✔✔ Descartes argues that the act of thinking proves one's existence, serving as the foundation
for all knowledge.
How does Aristotle's concept of "virtue ethics" define moral character and virtuous behavior?
✔✔ Virtue ethics emphasizes developing good character traits through habitual practice, with
virtue being the mean between extremes.
What is the problem of evil, and how is it addressed in the context of theistic philosophy?
✔✔ The problem of evil questions God's existence given evil's presence, addressed through free
will, evil as contrast, or soul-making arguments.
How does Thomas Hobbes' view of the social contract differ from that of John Locke?
2
, ✔✔ Hobbes sees the social contract as surrendering freedoms for order, while Locke sees it as
protecting natural rights with limited government power.
What is the primary argument of Anselm's ontological proof for the existence of God?
✔✔ Anselm argues that God's existence is implied by the concept of God as the greatest
conceivable being.
How does Hume challenge the notion of causality in his philosophical inquiry?
✔✔ Hume argues causality is based on habit, not logical necessity, as we cannot perceive the
causal connection itself.
Aristotle's primary area of interest was ✔✔metaphysics.
Which of the following is not one of the ten basic categories Aristotle used to describe the ways
in which humans think about things? ✔✔weight
How many souls did Aristotle believe humans have? ✔✔three
3
