COGS 100 EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATED.
Philosophy is - ANSWER The oldest branch of learning, a conceptual science.
Approach to Doing Philosophy - ANSWER Identify problems, formulate questions
Branches of Philosophy - ANSWER Metaphysics and Epistemology
Metaphysics - ANSWER Traditional branch, deals with mind-body problem
Epistemology - ANSWER Theory of Knowledge, examines the ways of knowledge gain
and representation
Methods of Philosophy - ANSWER Logic and Reasoning; Deductive, Inductive and
Abductive Logic
Deductive Logic- ANSWER Assertion given the facts - Ie. "The bus arrives at the stop at
2pm -> It is 2pm now -> The bus will arrive at the bus stop now"
Inductive Logic- ANSWER Generalization of observations - 'I have seen 7 swans that are
white -> All swans are white'
Abductive Logic - ANSWER Explanation drawn from facts - 'Laurie is not in class. If
Laurie is sick, she does not come to class -> Laurie may be sick' (not definite)
Common Philosophy Problems - ANSWER 1. The mind-body problem
2. The knowledge acquisition problem
3. Consciousness
,Mind-Body problem - ANSWER What is mind? Relationship between mind and body-the
seeming incompatibility between physical properties of the brain and the
mental(abstract) qualities of the mind.
Philosophical Positions - ANSWER Monism, Dualism, Functionalism
Monism - ANSWER Single Entity: Idealism & Physicalism
Idealism - ANSWER Everything is mental (Ames room
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttd0YjXF0no)
Physicalism - ANSWER Everything is physical; Identity Theory -> Mind is the brain
Dualism - ANSWER Separate Entity: Classical, Substance, & Property Dualism
Classical Dualism - ANSWER Mind Controls the body
Substance Dualism - ANSWER Mind and body are made of two separate substances
Property Dualism - ANSWER Mind and body are made of the same stuff but have
different properties
Functionalism - ANSWER Mental states are not only physical states but the functioning
or operation of those physical states
The Knowledge Acquisition Problem - ANSWER How do we acquire knowledge?
Nativism, Rationalism, Empiricism, Associationism
, Nativism - ANSWER Born with knowledge
Rationalism - ANSWER We have both innate knowledge and use reasoning to build new
knowledge
Empiricism - ANSWER Knowledge is acquired through experience
Associationism - ANSWER Simple ideas are acquired unconsciously and complex ideas
are learned by reflection
Types of Knowledge - ANSWER Declarative, Procedural
Declarative Knowledge - ANSWER Facts that are acquired by observation Probably not
innate
Procedural Knowledge - ANSWER Can be both acquired and innate. Ie. Smell
preference and reflex is innate. How to fix a bike or computer programming skills are
learned through experiences and observation.
Consciousness Definitions - ANSWER 1. Conscious as opposed to being asleep or in a
coma unconscious
2. Consciousness as one's own individual private mental life opposite subconscious
3. Being aware of various aspects of one's being, doing and surroundings as
consciousness shapes/impacts behavior
Conscious in relation to awareness- CONSCIOUS ≠ AWARENESS. Awareness is
considered a pre-requisite for consciousness One without the other is hard to define.
Aware-ANSWER Being knowledgeable about surrounding
Consciousness/Awareness Example - ANSWER You are in an area where an outbreak of
a plague suddenly occurs. You become aware of the illness and potential
consequences.
2026/2027 UPDATED.
Philosophy is - ANSWER The oldest branch of learning, a conceptual science.
Approach to Doing Philosophy - ANSWER Identify problems, formulate questions
Branches of Philosophy - ANSWER Metaphysics and Epistemology
Metaphysics - ANSWER Traditional branch, deals with mind-body problem
Epistemology - ANSWER Theory of Knowledge, examines the ways of knowledge gain
and representation
Methods of Philosophy - ANSWER Logic and Reasoning; Deductive, Inductive and
Abductive Logic
Deductive Logic- ANSWER Assertion given the facts - Ie. "The bus arrives at the stop at
2pm -> It is 2pm now -> The bus will arrive at the bus stop now"
Inductive Logic- ANSWER Generalization of observations - 'I have seen 7 swans that are
white -> All swans are white'
Abductive Logic - ANSWER Explanation drawn from facts - 'Laurie is not in class. If
Laurie is sick, she does not come to class -> Laurie may be sick' (not definite)
Common Philosophy Problems - ANSWER 1. The mind-body problem
2. The knowledge acquisition problem
3. Consciousness
,Mind-Body problem - ANSWER What is mind? Relationship between mind and body-the
seeming incompatibility between physical properties of the brain and the
mental(abstract) qualities of the mind.
Philosophical Positions - ANSWER Monism, Dualism, Functionalism
Monism - ANSWER Single Entity: Idealism & Physicalism
Idealism - ANSWER Everything is mental (Ames room
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttd0YjXF0no)
Physicalism - ANSWER Everything is physical; Identity Theory -> Mind is the brain
Dualism - ANSWER Separate Entity: Classical, Substance, & Property Dualism
Classical Dualism - ANSWER Mind Controls the body
Substance Dualism - ANSWER Mind and body are made of two separate substances
Property Dualism - ANSWER Mind and body are made of the same stuff but have
different properties
Functionalism - ANSWER Mental states are not only physical states but the functioning
or operation of those physical states
The Knowledge Acquisition Problem - ANSWER How do we acquire knowledge?
Nativism, Rationalism, Empiricism, Associationism
, Nativism - ANSWER Born with knowledge
Rationalism - ANSWER We have both innate knowledge and use reasoning to build new
knowledge
Empiricism - ANSWER Knowledge is acquired through experience
Associationism - ANSWER Simple ideas are acquired unconsciously and complex ideas
are learned by reflection
Types of Knowledge - ANSWER Declarative, Procedural
Declarative Knowledge - ANSWER Facts that are acquired by observation Probably not
innate
Procedural Knowledge - ANSWER Can be both acquired and innate. Ie. Smell
preference and reflex is innate. How to fix a bike or computer programming skills are
learned through experiences and observation.
Consciousness Definitions - ANSWER 1. Conscious as opposed to being asleep or in a
coma unconscious
2. Consciousness as one's own individual private mental life opposite subconscious
3. Being aware of various aspects of one's being, doing and surroundings as
consciousness shapes/impacts behavior
Conscious in relation to awareness- CONSCIOUS ≠ AWARENESS. Awareness is
considered a pre-requisite for consciousness One without the other is hard to define.
Aware-ANSWER Being knowledgeable about surrounding
Consciousness/Awareness Example - ANSWER You are in an area where an outbreak of
a plague suddenly occurs. You become aware of the illness and potential
consequences.
