Phil 1301 Final Exam Review

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  • 1/189 Questions

    In Meditation 3, Descartes says God could have created himself, even if he didn't exist.

    • True
    • False
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Philosophy Quizzes & Trivia
About This Quiz

This final exam review for Phil 1301 focuses on Descartes' Meditations, particularly examining his arguments on the existence of God and the nature of reality and perfection. It assesses understanding of key philosophical concepts and critical thinking skills.

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  • 2. 

    In Meditation 3, Descartes says he has no idea what perfection is.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    In Meditation 3, Descartes actually claims that he has a clear and distinct idea of what perfection is. He argues that perfection is an attribute of God and that he can conceive of God as a supremely perfect being. Therefore, the statement that Descartes has no idea what perfection is is false.

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  • 3. 

    In Meditation 1, Descartes rejects the idea that science justifies science.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 1, Descartes argues against the idea that science can justify itself. He believes that science is based on sensory perceptions, which can be deceived or unreliable. Therefore, he rejects the notion that science can provide a solid foundation for itself. Instead, Descartes seeks to establish a new method of inquiry that is based on doubt and skepticism, ultimately leading to a more certain and reliable form of knowledge.

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  • 4. 

    Which one of these is NOT one of the three arguments Descartes uses for the existence of God in Meditation 3?

    • Idea of perfection

    • Modal Ontological Argument

    • Argument from perfection

    • Argument from infinity

    Correct Answer
    A. Modal Ontological Argument
    Explanation
    Descartes uses three arguments for the existence of God in Meditation 3: the idea of perfection, the argument from perfection, and the argument from infinity. The modal ontological argument, however, is not one of the arguments Descartes presents in this meditation.

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  • 5. 

    According to Descartes, effects can be more real than their causes.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes believed that causes are always more real and perfect than their effects. He argued that the cause must contain all the reality that is found in the effect, and therefore, the cause must be more real. This idea is based on Descartes' principle of causality, which states that something cannot come from nothing. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

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  • 6. 

    Infinity and perfection are the same.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Infinity and perfection are not the same. Infinity refers to the concept of endlessness, while perfection refers to the state of being flawless or without any faults. These two concepts are distinct and do not have the same meaning. Therefore, the statement "Infinity and perfection are the same" is false.

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  • 7. 

    Which one of these is NOT one of the three categories of thoughts Descartes uses.

    • Ideas

    • Volitions

    • Lies

    • Judgments

    Correct Answer
    A. Lies
    Explanation
    Descartes uses the categories of ideas, volitions, and judgments to classify thoughts. "Lies" is not one of these categories. Descartes focuses on the nature of ideas, the will or volitions that arise from them, and the judgments we make based on those ideas. The category of "lies" does not fit into this framework of thought classification.

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  • 8. 

    According to Meditation 3, ideas are only false when they represent non-things as things.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    According to Meditation 3, ideas are only false when they represent non-things as things. This means that ideas can be considered true as long as they accurately represent things as they are. Therefore, the statement "ideas are only false when they represent non-things as things" is true.

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  • 9. 

    In Meditation 3, Descartes concludes that God must necessarily exist.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 3, Descartes presents the argument that the idea of God, as a perfect and infinite being, cannot be derived from finite and imperfect human minds. Since Descartes himself possesses this idea, he concludes that it must have been implanted in him by a perfect and infinite being, which he identifies as God. Therefore, Descartes asserts that God must necessarily exist.

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  • 10. 

    According to Descartes in Meditation 3, can God be a deceiver?

    • Yes

    • No

    Correct Answer
    A. No
    Explanation
    In Meditation 3, Descartes argues that God cannot be a deceiver. He believes that God is a perfect being and that deception is an imperfection. Descartes also argues that since God is the source of all truth, it would be contradictory for Him to deceive. Therefore, the correct answer is "No."

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  • 11. 

    What "general rule" does Descartes lay down in Meditation Three for determining the truth of propositions?

    • That God is the source of all truth

    • That everything he very clearly and distinctly perceives is true.

    • That God is a deceiver, and nothing can be true.

    • That truth must come from meditation.

    Correct Answer
    A. That everything he very clearly and distinctly perceives is true.
    Explanation
    Descartes lays down the general rule in Meditation Three that everything he very clearly and distinctly perceives is true. This means that if he has a clear and distinct perception of something, he can be certain that it is true. This rule serves as a foundation for his method of doubt and skepticism, as he believes that clear and distinct perceptions are immune to doubt and deception. By relying on this rule, Descartes seeks to establish a secure basis for knowledge and truth.

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  • 12. 

    In Meditation 3, Descartes fully trusts his impulse in regard to things existing outside of him.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes does not fully trust his impulse in regard to things existing outside of him in Meditation 3. Instead, he doubts the existence of external objects and questions the reliability of his senses. He believes that his senses can deceive him, leading to false perceptions of reality. Therefore, he suspends judgment on the existence of external things until he can establish a secure foundation for knowledge.

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  • 13. 

    According to Meditation 3, Can the objective reality of our ideas fall short of the perfection of their cause?

    • Yes

    • No

    Correct Answer
    A. Yes
    Explanation
    In Meditation 3, Descartes argues that our ideas are derived from a perfect and infinite being (God), who is the cause of our ideas. However, since humans are finite and imperfect beings, our ideas can never fully capture the perfection of their cause. This means that the objective reality of our ideas can indeed fall short of the perfection of their cause.

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  • 14. 

    According to Meditation 3, must our ideas that represent other men or animals derive from other men or animals?

    • Yes

    • No

    Correct Answer
    A. No
    Explanation
    According to Meditation 3, our ideas that represent other men or animals do not necessarily have to derive from other men or animals. Descartes argues that these ideas can be formed through our imagination or through a combination of different ideas. He suggests that our mind has the ability to create and combine ideas, even if they do not directly correspond to any external object or entity. Therefore, the correct answer is "No".

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  • 15. 

    According to Descartes, objective reality- exists inside the mind while formal reality- exists outside of the mind

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    According to Descartes, objective reality refers to the existence of ideas or thoughts within the mind, while formal reality refers to the existence of actual objects or substances outside of the mind. This means that objective reality is subjective and dependent on the individual's perception, while formal reality is independent of the mind and exists objectively in the external world. Therefore, the statement that objective reality exists inside the mind and formal reality exists outside of the mind is true according to Descartes' philosophy.

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  • 16. 

    In Meditation 3, a key premise in Descartes’ proof of God’s existence is which of the following?

    • God is no deceiver.

    • The cause must have at least as much reality as the effect.

    • If something can be doubted, then it should not be believed.

    • If there is an evil demon, there must be a God.

    Correct Answer
    A. The cause must have at least as much reality as the effect.
    Explanation
    In Meditation 3, Descartes argues that the cause of an idea must have at least as much reality as the effect. He uses this premise to establish the existence of God. Descartes suggests that since he has the idea of God, who is an infinitely perfect being, he himself, being a finite and imperfect being, cannot be the cause of this idea. Therefore, Descartes concludes that God must exist as the cause of his idea of God. This premise is crucial in Descartes' proof of God's existence.

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  • 17. 

    What is the principal and most frequent error to be found in judgments according to Descartes in Meditation 3?

    • The belief that God exists.

    • That he judges that the ideas which are in him are similar to certain things outside him.

    • That effects are never more real than their causes.

    • That God can be a deceiver.

    Correct Answer
    A. That he judges that the ideas which are in him are similar to certain things outside him.
    Explanation
    Descartes argues in Meditation 3 that the principal and most frequent error in judgments is the belief that the ideas in our mind are similar to certain things outside of us. He asserts that our senses can deceive us, and therefore, we cannot trust that our ideas accurately represent external reality. Instead, Descartes suggests that we should doubt everything and rely on clear and distinct perceptions to establish knowledge. This error in judgment stems from our tendency to rely on our senses and assume that they provide us with accurate representations of the external world.

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  • 18. 

    According to Descartes, if something is separate from the will, it must be coming from outside himself.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes believed that the will is the only thing that can cause actions, and therefore, anything that is separate from the will cannot come from outside himself. This means that if something is separate from the will, it must be coming from within himself. Therefore, the given statement contradicts Descartes' belief and is false.

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  • 19. 

    According to Descartes, an infinite regress of ideas coming from other ideas is possible.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    According to Descartes, an infinite regress of ideas coming from other ideas is not possible. Descartes believed that there must be a foundational idea or belief that serves as the starting point for all other ideas. This foundational idea, known as the "cogito," is the idea that "I think, therefore I am." Descartes argued that this fundamental belief is self-evident and cannot be doubted, serving as the basis for all other knowledge and ideas. Therefore, Descartes would argue that an infinite regress of ideas is not possible.

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  • 20. 

    According to Descartes, ideas can fail to match the perfection of their causes, but cannot be more perfect.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    According to Descartes, ideas are derived from their causes and therefore cannot be more perfect than their causes. This means that ideas may not fully capture the perfection of their causes, but they cannot surpass it. In other words, ideas are limited by the perfection of their causes and cannot exceed it. Therefore, the statement is true according to Descartes' philosophy.

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  • 21. 

    In Meditation 3, Descartes is certain that something other than himself exists because he has an idea of something in which more reality is contained than the total reality within himself.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 3, Descartes argues that something other than himself must exist because he has an idea of something that contains more reality than he does. This idea must have come from something outside of himself, as he cannot create something more perfect than himself. Therefore, Descartes concludes that there must be something external to him that exists. This supports the statement that the answer is true.

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  • 22. 

    In Meditation 3, Descartes believes that the idea of God could have come from himself.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes' argument in Meditation 3 is that the idea of God, as a perfect and infinite being, could not have originated from himself as a finite and imperfect being. He believes that the idea of God must have been implanted in his mind by a higher power, such as God himself. Therefore, the statement that Descartes believes the idea of God could have come from himself is false.

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  • 23. 

    According to Descartes, negation of the finite leads to the infinite.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    According to Descartes, negation of the finite does not necessarily lead to the infinite. Descartes believed that the finite and infinite are distinct and separate concepts. He argued that the infinite is beyond human comprehension and cannot be reached by negating the finite. Therefore, the statement is false.

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  • 24. 

    According to Descartes, can the idea of God be materially false?

    • Yes

    • No

    Correct Answer
    A. No
    Explanation
    According to Descartes, the idea of God cannot be materially false because he believes that God is a perfect being and the source of all truth. Descartes argues that since he has a clear and distinct idea of God, it must come from a perfect and truthful being, rather than being a product of his own imperfect mind. Therefore, Descartes concludes that the idea of God is not materially false.

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  • 25. 

    Descartes believes his existence could have been derived from himself.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes does not believe that his existence could have been derived from himself. Instead, he famously stated "Cogito, ergo sum" which means "I think, therefore I am." This implies that he believes his existence is derived from his ability to think, rather than being self-derived. Therefore, the given answer is False.

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  • 26. 

    According to Descartes, why can God not be a deceiver?

    • The devil will not allow it.

    • God has no defects, and deceit entails the existence of a defect.

    • There is no God.

    • God understands that the ramifications of deceit are too costly.

    Correct Answer
    A. God has no defects, and deceit entails the existence of a defect.
    Explanation
    Descartes argues that God cannot be a deceiver because God has no defects, and deceit implies the existence of a defect. According to Descartes, God is a perfect being and therefore incapable of deceiving. Deceit is a flawed and imperfect action, which goes against the nature of a perfect being like God. Therefore, Descartes concludes that God cannot be a deceiver.

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  • 27. 

    According to Meditation 3, Descartes believes that he can be certain of anything regardless of whether or not God is a deceiver.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    According to Meditation 3, Descartes does not believe that he can be certain of anything regardless of whether or not God is a deceiver. In fact, Descartes argues that if God is a deceiver, then all his beliefs could be false, and therefore he cannot be certain of anything. Descartes seeks to establish a foundation of knowledge by proving the existence of a non-deceiving God. Therefore, the statement is false.

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  • 28. 

    According to Descartes in Meditation 3, if ideas proceed from things existing outside him, they MUST accurately resemble those things.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    According to Descartes in Meditation 3, ideas do not necessarily have to accurately resemble the things that exist outside of him. Descartes argues that since he has the ability to create ideas in his mind, it is possible for these ideas to be fabricated or distorted representations of external objects. Therefore, the statement that ideas must accurately resemble external things is false according to Descartes.

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  • 29. 

    According to Descartes, infinity is achieved through negation of the finite.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes did not believe that infinity is achieved through the negation of the finite. In fact, Descartes argued that infinity is a positive and distinct concept from the finite. He believed that the concept of infinity is innate to the human mind and cannot be derived from negating the finite. Therefore, the given statement is false.

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  • 30. 

    Descartes at least implies that he must know what perfection is in order to know what imperfection is.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes suggests that in order to understand what imperfection is, one must have knowledge of what perfection is. This implies that understanding the concept of perfection is necessary to identify and recognize its opposite, imperfection. Therefore, the correct answer is true.

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  • 31. 

    Descartes claims to be perfect.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes does not claim to be perfect. In fact, he famously stated "I think, therefore I am," emphasizing the existence of his mind but not asserting perfection. Descartes acknowledged his fallibility and the limitations of human knowledge, which is evident in his philosophical works such as "Meditations on First Philosophy." Therefore, the correct answer is False.

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  • 32. 

    Descartes says effects must be at least as real as their causes.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes believed in the principle of causality, which states that an effect cannot be more real or have more reality than its cause. However, he did not argue that effects must be at least as real as their causes. In fact, Descartes believed that the cause of an effect must contain all the reality that is found in the effect. Therefore, the given statement is false.

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  • 33. 

    Descartes directly says God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes does not directly say that God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived. This statement is actually a definition of God given by Anselm of Canterbury, not Descartes. Descartes' argument for the existence of God is based on the idea that God is a perfect being and therefore must exist. He does not explicitly define God in terms of being that than which nothing greater can be conceived.

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  • 34. 

    Descartes at least implies that he could not know what it means to be finite if he didn't know what it meant to be infinite.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes suggests that in order to understand the concept of being finite, one must first comprehend the concept of being infinite. This implies that knowledge of the infinite is a prerequisite for understanding the finite. Therefore, the statement is true.

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  • 35. 

    In meditation 1, Descartes had been disillusioned by his discovery that many of the alleged truths learned in his youth were:

    • False

    • Beyond question

    • Contrary to his religion.

    • True

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    In meditation 1, Descartes realizes that many of the truths he believed in his youth were actually false. This disillusionment challenges his previous beliefs and forces him to question the reliability of his knowledge. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

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  • 36. 

    In meditation 1, Descartes says that for all he knows, he may be

    • All of the above.

    • Dreaming

    • Deceived by God.

    • Deceived by an evil genius.

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the above.
    Explanation
    In meditation 1, Descartes raises the possibility that everything he believes to be true could be false. He considers the idea that he may be dreaming, deceived by God, or deceived by an evil genius. Descartes does not dismiss any of these possibilities, but rather acknowledges that he cannot be certain of the true nature of his reality. Therefore, the correct answer is that Descartes considers all of the above possibilities as potential explanations for his existence.

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  • 37. 

    In meditation 1, Descartes declares that an evil demon

    • All of the above

    • Could possibly be deceiving him.

    • Exists

    • Doesn’t exist.

    Correct Answer
    A. Could possibly be deceiving him.
    Explanation
    In Meditation 1, Descartes suggests that there is a possibility of an evil demon deceiving him. He questions the reliability of his senses and the certainty of his beliefs, considering the idea that an evil demon could be manipulating his perceptions and leading him astray. This uncertainty is a key aspect of Descartes' philosophical skepticism, as he seeks to doubt everything in order to find a foundation of knowledge that cannot be doubted. Therefore, the correct answer is that an evil demon could possibly be deceiving him.

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  • 38. 

    In meditation 1, Descartes argues against trusting the senses on the grounds that

    • They sometimes deceive him.

    • God allows sensory deception.

    • Sense perception is indubitable.

    • They never directly deceive him

    Correct Answer
    A. They sometimes deceive him.
    Explanation
    Descartes argues against trusting the senses because he believes that they sometimes deceive him. He doubts the reliability of sensory perception, as he has experienced instances where his senses have misled him. Therefore, he concludes that senses cannot be fully trusted and should not be relied upon as a source of knowledge.

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  • 39. 

    In meditations 2 and 4, Descartes declares that he is

    • A thing that cannot exist.

    • A thing that thinks.

    • A dream.

    • A body.

    Correct Answer
    A. A thing that thinks.
    Explanation
    In meditations 2 and 4, Descartes argues that the only thing he can be certain of is that he is a thinking thing. He doubts the existence of his body and the external world, but he cannot doubt the fact that he is thinking. This leads him to conclude that his essence is that of a thinking thing, and therefore he is a thing that thinks.

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  • 40. 

    In meditations 2 and 4, Descartes says that thought is an attribute that

    • Really does belong to him.

    • Does not belong to him.

    • Belongs only to his body

    • Must be illusory.

    Correct Answer
    A. Really does belong to him.
    Explanation
    In meditations 2 and 4, Descartes argues that thought is an attribute that really does belong to him. He states that even if an evil demon is deceiving him and making him doubt everything else, he cannot doubt the fact that he is thinking. Descartes believes that thought is inseparable from his existence as a thinking being and is therefore a part of his essence. He concludes that thought is a clear and distinct perception that cannot be doubted, and thus, it truly belongs to him.

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  • 41. 

    In meditations 2 and 4, Descartes reasons that the very fact that he is thinking shows that

    • He exists.

    • He is not being deceived.

    • He does not exist.

    • He is dreaming.

    Correct Answer
    A. He exists.
    Explanation
    In meditations 2 and 4, Descartes argues that the act of thinking itself proves his existence. He reasons that if he is able to doubt, question, or think about his own existence, then there must be a thinking entity, which is himself. This line of reasoning leads him to conclude that he exists.

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  • 42. 

    At the start of the Meditations, Descartes puts forth the general criterion to guide his search for a foundation for knowledge that he should not assent to a statement if that statement is:

    • False

    • Obviously false.

    • Wholly dubious.

    • At all dubious.

    Correct Answer
    A. At all dubious.
    Explanation
    Descartes states that in his search for a foundation for knowledge, he should not believe or accept any statement that is even slightly doubtful. He wants to establish a solid and unquestionable foundation for his beliefs, so any statement that is even remotely dubious should be rejected. Therefore, the correct answer is "at all dubious."

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  • 43. 

    Among the beliefs that might still be certain even if I am dreaming is that:

    • I am sitting in my chair.

    • The sum of the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees.

    • The earth moves.

    • Paris is the capital of France.

    Correct Answer
    A. The sum of the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees.
    Explanation
    The belief that the sum of the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees can still be certain even if one is dreaming. This is because it is a mathematical fact that holds true regardless of the state of consciousness. Whether awake or dreaming, the fundamental properties of geometry remain consistent. Therefore, even in a dream state, one can be certain of this mathematical truth.

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  • 44. 

    Descartes introduces the argument of the wax (Meditation 2) to show that:

    • External objects are known through the senses.

    • The mind is better known than the body.

    • The senses do not really perceive the wax.

    • He can be deceived into thinking there is wax in his hands, when there isn't any.

    Correct Answer
    A. The mind is better known than the body.
    Explanation
    In Descartes' argument of the wax, he uses the example of a piece of wax to demonstrate that the mind is better known than the body. Descartes observes that the properties of the wax, such as its shape, color, and scent, change when it is melted. Despite these changes, Descartes argues that the mind is still able to recognize the wax as the same object. This suggests that our knowledge of the wax is not solely based on sensory perception, but rather on the understanding and knowledge of the mind. Therefore, Descartes concludes that the mind, being able to perceive and understand the essence of the wax, is better known than the body.

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  • 45. 

    Descartes’ crucial observation about the wax is that:

    • It melts when heated.

    • Its shape and texture can be altered.

    • What I believe about it is due to what I perceive in it.

    • I continue to know it, despite numerous external changes.

    Correct Answer
    A. I continue to know it, despite numerous external changes.
    Explanation
    Descartes' crucial observation about the wax is that he continues to know it, despite numerous external changes. This means that even though the wax may change in shape, texture, and even melt when heated, Descartes still recognizes it as the same substance. This observation highlights Descartes' belief in the existence of an unchanging and immutable essence underlying the changing properties of physical objects.

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  • 46. 

    At the beginning of Meditation Two, Descartes discovers something that cannot be doubted. What is it that cannot be doubted?

    • Descartes maintains that one cannot doubt that an evil demon is very crafty

    • Descartes maintains that one cannot doubt one's senses

    • Descartes doesn't find anything that is certain

    • Descartes maintains that one cannot deny one's existence while aware of it

    Correct Answer
    A. Descartes maintains that one cannot deny one's existence while aware of it
    Explanation
    Descartes argues that even if an evil demon is deceiving him, he cannot doubt his own existence. He famously states "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), meaning that the very act of doubting or thinking proves his existence as a thinking being. This is the one thing that Descartes believes cannot be doubted or denied.

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  • 47. 

    In Meditation 2, after Descartes discovers that it is impossible to doubt one's existence while aware of it despite the efforts of an evil demon, what does he then wonder about?

    • Descartes wonders why there is something rather than nothing

    • Descartes wonders why he is alone in the world

    • Descartes wonders what is the self

    • Descartes never wonders he only thinks clearly and distinctly

    Correct Answer
    A. Descartes wonders what is the self
    Explanation
    In Meditation 2, Descartes reflects on the fact that even if an evil demon is deceiving him about the existence of the external world, he cannot doubt his own existence as a thinking being. After establishing his own existence, Descartes then ponders the nature of the self. He questions what it means to be a self and what constitutes his own identity. This leads him to further explore the nature of the mind and the body in subsequent meditations.

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  • 48. 

    Descartes uses an example to explore the nature of the self and its powers. What key example does he use to illustrate that the mind and not the senses are doing the work when it comes to arriving at ...

    • A donkey

    • A dog

    • Wax

    • Descartes does not do this.

    Correct Answer
    A. Wax
    Explanation
    Descartes uses the example of wax to illustrate that the mind, not the senses, is responsible for understanding and perceiving objects. He describes how the properties of wax change when it is melted, such as its shape, color, and smell. Despite these changes, the mind is still able to recognize the melted wax as the same substance. This demonstrates that our understanding of objects is not solely based on sensory perception, but rather on the mind's ability to reason and comprehend abstract concepts.

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  • 49. 

    At the end of Meditation Two, what does Descartes know?

    • Descartes does not know anything

    • Descartes knows that he is a thinking thing

    • Descartes knows that he does not know

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Descartes knows that he is a thinking thing
    Explanation
    In Meditation Two, Descartes reaches the conclusion that he exists as a thinking thing. He doubts everything else, including the existence of his body and the external world. However, he cannot doubt his own existence as a thinking thing because the very act of doubting requires thinking. Therefore, Descartes knows that he is a thinking thing, even though he may not know anything else for certain.

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  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 05, 2013
    Quiz Created by
    Brian_hardaway19

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