Philosophy 201 Study Guide WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS
What does philosophy mean? - ANS Derived from two Greek words: "philein"
meaning to love and "sophia" meaning wisdom. Philosophy means the love of
exercising one's curiosity and intelligence.
How does Pythagoras characterize a philosopher's activity in contrast with the activities
of an athlete and a businessperson? - ANS Pythagoras claimed philosophers' activity
was to seek truth through contemplation. In contrast, athletes seeked fame through
trained skill and businessmen seeked profit through practical shrewdness.
What significant way of thinking can we learn from Zeno's arguments against motion? -
ANS The truth is that even though we may see an event occur it may not mean that it
is true
What is Russell's targeted view regarding philosophy in this chapter? - ANS
Russell's targeted view is the practical people's conception of philosophy. That if
philosophy is valuable, it must have concrete and definite results.
What are the two misconceptions of this view? (Value of Philosophy) - ANS 1.
Practical people only see the physical end to a life, not the spiritual end. Life is a
process, not defined when we die. Philosophy places value on the process of searching
for truth
2. Thus the practical mind can't see the philosophical goods for the mind or the soul and
for the world, not just oneself
How does Russell differentiate physics from philosophy in terms of their goods for
people's lives? Does the value of philosophy lie in the goods of the body or in the goods
of the mind? - ANS Russell states that physics is much more physical in that it
provides definite answers for the practical people. It affects all of mankind through the
medium of technical inventions. Whereas philosophy only affects those who study the
subject, and does not directly affect the public. Philosophy lies in the goods of the mind,
within our lives we have spiritual needs of hope and desire, not just physical material
needs.
, Why do practical people find philosophy a waste of time? - ANS Practical people find
philosophy a waste of time because practical people only recognize material goods for
their bodies but fail to realize goods for their minds
What kind of knowledge does philosophy seek to obtain? - ANS Philosophy seeks to
obtain the uncertain answers to questions from multiple perspectives, partial truths.
What are the characteristics of philosophical knowledge in comparison with scientific
knowledge? - ANS Philosophical knowledge doesn't provide definite answers, it
gives unity and system to the body of the sciences, and it critically examines the
grounds of our convictions, prejudices and beliefs
Why does Russell think that without studying philosophy, one's life is imprisoned in
prejudices? - ANS Because the person who does not study philosophy has no
questions and contemptuously rejects any Unfamiliar Possibilities.
What specific prejudices does he refer to? (Practical people) - ANS 1. Common
sense
2. Habitual beliefs of his age and nation
3. the conventional convictions without rational thought
Although philosophy cannot tell with certainty what the demonstrably true answer to a
question is, why does philosophy still have value according to Russell? - ANS 1.
Enlarges our thoughts and free them from the tyranny of custom.
2. Increases our knowledge of other possibilities
3. Removes arrogant dogmatism
4. Keeps alive our sense of wonder by providing unfamiliar perspectives
What is the chief value of philosophy by means of contemplation? - ANS Chief value
in contemplation liberates us from the imprisoned life.
Consists in its greatness of the object and freedom from the narrow and personal aims
How can philosophical contemplation starting from the not-self, enlarge the self? -
ANS Contemplates objects as they are without artificial restrictions and partiality. Frees
us of our subjective interests, prejudices and the like on the other world and through its
greatness(?) the boundaries of Self are enlarged.
How does the impartiality of philosophical contemplation of the great objects carry over
into the world of action and emotion and make us (philosophy students) citizens of the
universe? - ANS The impartiality in action, justice, and emotion contributes to
CORRECT ANSWERS
What does philosophy mean? - ANS Derived from two Greek words: "philein"
meaning to love and "sophia" meaning wisdom. Philosophy means the love of
exercising one's curiosity and intelligence.
How does Pythagoras characterize a philosopher's activity in contrast with the activities
of an athlete and a businessperson? - ANS Pythagoras claimed philosophers' activity
was to seek truth through contemplation. In contrast, athletes seeked fame through
trained skill and businessmen seeked profit through practical shrewdness.
What significant way of thinking can we learn from Zeno's arguments against motion? -
ANS The truth is that even though we may see an event occur it may not mean that it
is true
What is Russell's targeted view regarding philosophy in this chapter? - ANS
Russell's targeted view is the practical people's conception of philosophy. That if
philosophy is valuable, it must have concrete and definite results.
What are the two misconceptions of this view? (Value of Philosophy) - ANS 1.
Practical people only see the physical end to a life, not the spiritual end. Life is a
process, not defined when we die. Philosophy places value on the process of searching
for truth
2. Thus the practical mind can't see the philosophical goods for the mind or the soul and
for the world, not just oneself
How does Russell differentiate physics from philosophy in terms of their goods for
people's lives? Does the value of philosophy lie in the goods of the body or in the goods
of the mind? - ANS Russell states that physics is much more physical in that it
provides definite answers for the practical people. It affects all of mankind through the
medium of technical inventions. Whereas philosophy only affects those who study the
subject, and does not directly affect the public. Philosophy lies in the goods of the mind,
within our lives we have spiritual needs of hope and desire, not just physical material
needs.
, Why do practical people find philosophy a waste of time? - ANS Practical people find
philosophy a waste of time because practical people only recognize material goods for
their bodies but fail to realize goods for their minds
What kind of knowledge does philosophy seek to obtain? - ANS Philosophy seeks to
obtain the uncertain answers to questions from multiple perspectives, partial truths.
What are the characteristics of philosophical knowledge in comparison with scientific
knowledge? - ANS Philosophical knowledge doesn't provide definite answers, it
gives unity and system to the body of the sciences, and it critically examines the
grounds of our convictions, prejudices and beliefs
Why does Russell think that without studying philosophy, one's life is imprisoned in
prejudices? - ANS Because the person who does not study philosophy has no
questions and contemptuously rejects any Unfamiliar Possibilities.
What specific prejudices does he refer to? (Practical people) - ANS 1. Common
sense
2. Habitual beliefs of his age and nation
3. the conventional convictions without rational thought
Although philosophy cannot tell with certainty what the demonstrably true answer to a
question is, why does philosophy still have value according to Russell? - ANS 1.
Enlarges our thoughts and free them from the tyranny of custom.
2. Increases our knowledge of other possibilities
3. Removes arrogant dogmatism
4. Keeps alive our sense of wonder by providing unfamiliar perspectives
What is the chief value of philosophy by means of contemplation? - ANS Chief value
in contemplation liberates us from the imprisoned life.
Consists in its greatness of the object and freedom from the narrow and personal aims
How can philosophical contemplation starting from the not-self, enlarge the self? -
ANS Contemplates objects as they are without artificial restrictions and partiality. Frees
us of our subjective interests, prejudices and the like on the other world and through its
greatness(?) the boundaries of Self are enlarged.
How does the impartiality of philosophical contemplation of the great objects carry over
into the world of action and emotion and make us (philosophy students) citizens of the
universe? - ANS The impartiality in action, justice, and emotion contributes to
