Master Contemporary Philosophy: Explore Modern Thinkers and Ideas

Question 1

Which fundamental question is a central theme in Bertrand Russell's philosophy?

Accepted Answer

What are the limits of our knowledge about the world?

Answer

What is the nature of language?

Answer

Is there a God?

Answer

What is the basis of social order?

Question 2

Wittgenstein's distinction between 'saying' and 'showing' is primarily associated with which of his works?

Accepted Answer

Philosophical Investigations

Answer

Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

Answer

Culture and Value

Answer

On Certainty

Question 3

Derrida's concept of 'deconstruction' primarily aims to:

Accepted Answer

Expose the hidden assumptions and power structures within texts

Answer

Provide a definitive interpretation of texts

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Reduce texts to their original meaning

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Establish a single, correct way of reading texts

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of contemporary philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Adherence to a single, dominant philosophical school of thought

Answer

Emphasis on language and communication

Answer

Rejection of traditional metaphysical systems

Answer

Focus on practical and ethical issues

Question 5

Russell's theory of logical atomism asserts that:

Accepted Answer

The world is composed of indivisible, atomic facts

Answer

Language is inherently unreliable and subjective

Answer

Ethics is based on universal moral principles

Answer

Metaphysics is the most important branch of philosophy

Question 6

Wittgenstein's 'language game' metaphor is primarily used to illustrate:

Accepted Answer

The social and contextual factors that shape language use

Answer

The arbitrary nature of language

Answer

The logical structure of language

Answer

The relationship between language and reality

Question 7

Derrida's concept of the 'trace' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The hidden presence of absence within texts

Answer

The original, authentic meaning of a text

Answer

The relationship between author and text

Answer

The way in which texts are interpreted by individual readers

Question 8

Which of the following is a key concept in Bertrand Russell's philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Logical atomism

Answer

Existentialism

Answer

Phenomenology

Answer

Hermeneutics

Question 9

Ludwig Wittgenstein's language game theory primarily focuses on:

Accepted Answer

The use of language in practical contexts

Answer

The nature of linguistic truth

Answer

The relationship between language and reality

Answer

The role of grammar in language

Question 10

Which of Derrida's concepts challenges the notion of a fixed and stable meaning?

Accepted Answer

Deconstruction

Answer

Phenomenology

Answer

Hermeneutics

Answer

Existentialism

Question 11

A central theme of existentialism is:

Accepted Answer

The importance of individual freedom and responsibility

Answer

The role of reason in human existence

Answer

The primacy of the unconscious mind

Answer

The existence of God

Question 12

Which theme is common to the philosophical works of Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein?

Accepted Answer

Rejection of traditional logic

Answer

Primacy of religious experience

Answer

Need for a universal moral code

Answer

Importance of metaphysics

Question 13

Identify a central concept in Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophy.

Accepted Answer

Language-games

Answer

Subjectivism

Answer

Phenomenology

Answer

Transcendental idealism

Question 14

Bertrand Russell's theory of descriptions aimed to address which philosophical problem?

Accepted Answer

The problem of universals

Answer

The problem of induction

Answer

The liar's paradox

Answer

The Sorites paradox

Question 15

Derrida's concept of 'différance' primarily concerns:

Accepted Answer

The relationship between signifier and signified

Answer

The distinction between speech and writing

Answer

The nature of human consciousness

Answer

The existence of God

Question 16

What is the central argument of Wittgenstein's 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus'?

Accepted Answer

That meaningful statements are either true or false

Answer

That the world is fundamentally unknowable

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That language is the key to unlocking the universe's secrets

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That ethics is a meaningless pursuit

Question 17

Which philosopher is credited with pioneering the 'linguistic turn' in philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

Question 18

What is the central idea behind Jacques Derrida's concept of 'deconstruction'?

Accepted Answer

It challenges the stability and presumed objectivity of meaning in language and texts

Answer

It advocates for a purely rational and scientific approach to philosophy

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It defends traditional metaphysical systems and beliefs

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Bertrand Russell's theory of logical atomism?

Accepted Answer

Rejection of metaphysical inquiries

Answer

Breaking down propositions into their simplest elements

Answer

Emphasis on the logical structure and analysis of language

Answer

Distinction between objects and their properties

Question 20

What is the fundamental principle of existentialism?

Accepted Answer

Human beings actively create their own essence and meaning through their choices and actions

Answer

Reason is the ultimate source of knowledge and moral guidance

Answer

The universe is governed by strict and unchanging deterministic laws

Question 21

Which philosopher is renowned for their significant contributions to the philosophy of language and the mind?

Accepted Answer

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Answer

Søren Kierkegaard

Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Friedrich Nietzsche

Question 22

What is a common criticism directed towards positivism?

Accepted Answer

It overemphasizes the role of empirical verification and observable evidence

Answer

It promotes extreme relativism and skepticism, undermining the possibility of objective knowledge

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It denies the existence of an objective reality independent of human perception

Question 23

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of phenomenology?

Accepted Answer

It focuses on the study of subjective experiences and consciousness

Answer

It relies primarily on logical reasoning and argumentation

Answer

It emphasizes the influence of social and political contexts on human existence

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It rejects all forms of metaphysics and speculative inquiries

Question 24

What is the significance of Jacques Derrida's concept of 'logocentrism'?

Accepted Answer

It challenges the notion of a universal, fixed, and objective meaning centered around language or reason

Answer

It highlights the importance and pervasive influence of language in shaping human experience and understanding

Answer

It promotes the exclusive use of logical reasoning in philosophical discourse

Question 25

What is the primary objective of feminist philosophy?

Accepted Answer

To critically examine and challenge patriarchal norms, power structures, and their impact on society and individuals

Answer

To establish a single, universal definition of femininity

Answer

To advocate for complete equality between men and women in all aspects of life