PHIL101 Exam 1 Questions with Verified
Correct Answers
What is wisdom, as we defined this concept in class, and how does it differ from
ordinary knowledge?
-Wisdom: a well-founded, guidance-giving, perspective on life's meaning
-Knowledge: justified true-beliefs about objective facts
What is an ultimate question, as that term was defined in class? (Define the concept and
provide some specific examples.)
The most basic and comprehensive (most fundamental and general) questions concerning
what is and what ought to be.
-Example: What ought to be my highest goals in life? What is the ultimate nature of reality?
What are the four main branches of philosophy? What is the main topic specific to
each? What are some of the main questions connected with each topic? (Don't worry
about naming any main questions in the area of logic.)
1. Metaphysics: ultimate nature, structure of reality.
-Ex: Is the physical world all that there is?
2.Epistemology: Nature, possibility, extent of knowledge (truths, justifications, etc.)
-Ex: What makes statements true?
3. Value Theory: Nature, status, basis of values (goodness, beauty)
-Ex: Are there objectively valid values?
4.Logic: valid reasoning's basic forms
What does it mean to say that the ultimate questions are not empirical questions?
, Empirical questions are questions that can be conclusively settled via sensory observation
(measurements/experiments), and ultimate questions are general questions concerning what is
and what ought to be
Philosophy is one of the humanities. What is the main goal of the humanities, and how
does this differ from the main goal of the sciences?
Humanities seek primarily to deepen our understanding and appreciation of human life.
Sciences aim mainly to expand our empirical knowledge (and skilled control) of the world
around us.
What are the distinctly human capacities that the humanities can help cultivate? (Five
were listed in lecture.)
1. Philosophy and religion
2. Language and literature
3. Art and music
4. History and archeology
5. Cultural anthropology
What is scientism, and on what grounds do some people advocate it?
Scientism: humanistic "wisdom" is wildly variable and unverifiable; only scientifically
verifiable claims should be taken seriously.
In class we considered a critical philosophical response to scientism. What are the main
points of that response? (In other words, on what grounds does it argue that scientism is
untenable?)
Correct Answers
What is wisdom, as we defined this concept in class, and how does it differ from
ordinary knowledge?
-Wisdom: a well-founded, guidance-giving, perspective on life's meaning
-Knowledge: justified true-beliefs about objective facts
What is an ultimate question, as that term was defined in class? (Define the concept and
provide some specific examples.)
The most basic and comprehensive (most fundamental and general) questions concerning
what is and what ought to be.
-Example: What ought to be my highest goals in life? What is the ultimate nature of reality?
What are the four main branches of philosophy? What is the main topic specific to
each? What are some of the main questions connected with each topic? (Don't worry
about naming any main questions in the area of logic.)
1. Metaphysics: ultimate nature, structure of reality.
-Ex: Is the physical world all that there is?
2.Epistemology: Nature, possibility, extent of knowledge (truths, justifications, etc.)
-Ex: What makes statements true?
3. Value Theory: Nature, status, basis of values (goodness, beauty)
-Ex: Are there objectively valid values?
4.Logic: valid reasoning's basic forms
What does it mean to say that the ultimate questions are not empirical questions?
, Empirical questions are questions that can be conclusively settled via sensory observation
(measurements/experiments), and ultimate questions are general questions concerning what is
and what ought to be
Philosophy is one of the humanities. What is the main goal of the humanities, and how
does this differ from the main goal of the sciences?
Humanities seek primarily to deepen our understanding and appreciation of human life.
Sciences aim mainly to expand our empirical knowledge (and skilled control) of the world
around us.
What are the distinctly human capacities that the humanities can help cultivate? (Five
were listed in lecture.)
1. Philosophy and religion
2. Language and literature
3. Art and music
4. History and archeology
5. Cultural anthropology
What is scientism, and on what grounds do some people advocate it?
Scientism: humanistic "wisdom" is wildly variable and unverifiable; only scientifically
verifiable claims should be taken seriously.
In class we considered a critical philosophical response to scientism. What are the main
points of that response? (In other words, on what grounds does it argue that scientism is
untenable?)
