Analytic Philosophy: Master the Methods and Assumptions

Question 1

What is the primary objective of conceptual analysis in analytic philosophy?

Accepted Answer

To determine the meaning and usage of concepts

Answer

To provide a comprehensive explanation of reality

Answer

To justify the validity of ethical principles

Answer

To analyze the historical development of philosophical ideas

Question 2

What is the significance of the 'linguistic turn' in philosophy?

Accepted Answer

A shift in focus from metaphysical inquiries to the analysis of language

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A rejection of the importance of natural language in philosophical discussions

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A belief that all philosophical problems can be solved through linguistic analysis alone

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An idea that language is the sole foundation of reality

Question 3

Identify the principle that is not central to logical positivism:

Accepted Answer

Holistic approach

Answer

Verification principle

Answer

Emphasizing experience

Answer

Logical atomism

Question 4

Which method is central to the approach of ordinary language philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Natural language analysis

Answer

Logical reasoning

Answer

Conceptual modeling

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Empirical observation

Question 5

A defining principle of logical positivism maintains that:

Accepted Answer

Metaphysical statements are inherently meaningless.

Answer

All knowledge must be derived from experience.

Answer

Language is primarily a tool for conveying emotions.

Answer

Values are objective and universally applicable.

Question 6

The verification principle in logical positivism asserts that:

Accepted Answer

Meaningful statements can be verified through sensory experience.

Answer

Statements correspond to reality and are therefore true.

Answer

All statements can be classified as either true or false.

Answer

Values are subjective and vary across individuals.

Question 7

Who is widely recognized as the pioneer of ordinary language philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

G.E. Moore

Answer

J.L. Austin

Question 8

Which concept is central to Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus?

Accepted Answer

Picture theory of meaning

Answer

Verification principle

Answer

Language games

Answer

Ordinary language

Question 9

What is the relationship between language and the world, according to Wittgenstein's later philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Language is a tool for navigating the world

Answer

Language is a mirror of the world

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Language creates the world

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Language is a barrier to understanding the world

Question 10

The Vienna Circle argued that metaphysical statements are meaningless because they:

Accepted Answer

Cannot be empirically verified

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Are circular in their reasoning

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Lead to contradictory conclusions

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Rely on subjective interpretations

Question 11

Who is widely regarded as the founder of ordinary language philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

Gottlob Frege

Answer

J.L. Austin

Question 12

Which philosopher is associated with the concept of 'language-games'?

Accepted Answer

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

J.L. Austin

Answer

Saul Kripke

Question 13

What is the primary aim of conceptual clarification in analytic philosophy?

Accepted Answer

To define and clarify philosophical concepts

Answer

To provide empirical evidence for philosophical claims

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To develop new metaphysical theories

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To resolve all philosophical disputes

Question 14

Who is considered one of the founders of logical positivism?

Accepted Answer

Moritz Schlick

Answer

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

J.L. Austin

Question 15

How does the principle of verification influence logical positivism's approach to metaphysical claims?

Accepted Answer

It leads logical positivists to reject metaphysics as meaningless

Answer

It provides a method for evaluating the truth of metaphysical claims

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It has no significant impact on logical positivists' views on metaphysics

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It encourages logical positivists to embrace metaphysical speculation

Question 16

Which of the following philosophers was NOT a prominent member of the Vienna Circle?

Accepted Answer

Jean-Paul Sartre

Answer

Rudolf Carnap

Answer

Moritz Schlick

Answer

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Question 17

According to Wittgenstein, the meaning of a word is primarily determined by:

Accepted Answer

Use within language

Answer

Historical etymology

Answer

Conceptual analysis

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Dictionary definition

Question 18

Analytic philosophy is typically characterized by an emphasis on:

Accepted Answer

Clear and precise language

Answer

Intuitive reasoning

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Metaphysical speculation

Answer

Rejection of logic

Question 19

Which philosopher argued that metaphysical statements are inherently meaningless?

Accepted Answer

A.J. Ayer

Answer

G.E. Moore

Answer

John Dewey

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Question 20

The primary goal of the ordinary language philosophy movement was to:

Accepted Answer

Clarify philosophical problems by examining everyday language

Answer

Promote thought experiments

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Develop new formal logical systems

Question 21

A potential limitation of analytic philosophy is its:

Accepted Answer

Excessive focus on language, potentially neglecting non-linguistic aspects of experience

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Over-reliance on abstract reasoning

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Inhibition of creativity

Question 22

The distinction between analytic and synthetic statements is based on:

Accepted Answer

Whether the statement is true by virtue of its meaning or through empirical verification

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Whether the statement is logically valid or inductively probable

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Whether the statement concerns the world or language

Question 23

Analytic philosophy has had a significant impact on contemporary discussions in fields such as:

Accepted Answer

Logic, language, and artificial intelligence

Answer

Physics, chemistry, and biology

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Politics, economics, and sociology

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Ethics, aesthetics, and religion

Question 24

The verification principle, a central tenet of logical positivism, states that a statement is meaningful only if it is:

Accepted Answer

Verifiable, either directly or indirectly through empirical observation or logic.

Answer

Expressed in a formal, logical language.

Answer

Based on a priori knowledge.

Question 25

Ordinary language philosophy, as advocated by figures like J.L. Austin and Gilbert Ryle, emphasized the importance of:

Accepted Answer

Analyzing the ordinary use of language to understand philosophical concepts.

Answer

Developing a universal, formal language for philosophical inquiry.

Answer

Employing scientific methods to investigate philosophical problems.

Question 26

Which of the following best exemplifies Wittgenstein's concept of a 'language game' in his later works?

Accepted Answer

The rules governing the use of words and actions in a specific context, like playing chess.

Answer

A scientific experiment designed to test a hypothesis.

Answer

A philosophical argument about the nature of reality.

Question 27

The 'problem of induction' in philosophy of science, as discussed by David Hume, challenges the justification for:

Accepted Answer

Inferring general laws from a limited number of observations.

Answer

The validity of scientific experiments.

Answer

The existence of objective knowledge about the external world.

Question 28

In philosophy of language, the concept of 'analyticity' as developed by Gottlob Frege refers to statements that are:

Accepted Answer

True by virtue of their meaning, regardless of the state of the world, like 'All bachelors are unmarried.'

Answer

Expressive of subjective beliefs or opinions.

Answer

Verifiable through empirical observation.

Question 29

The 'intensional' context in semantics, as opposed to 'extensional' context, is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

The meaning of a term being relevant, rather than its referent, like the difference between 'the morning star' and 'the evening star.'

Answer

The truth value of a statement being determined by its logical structure.

Answer

The use of formal logic to analyze language.

Question 30

In the context of analytic philosophy, 'reductionism' refers to the attempt to explain complex phenomena by:

Accepted Answer

Breaking them down into simpler, more fundamental elements.

Answer

Utilizing formal logic to analyze philosophical problems.

Answer

Dismissing all metaphysical theories as meaningless.

Question 31

The main difference between 'physicalism' and 'materialism' as philosophical positions lies in the emphasis on:

Accepted Answer

Physical laws and properties for physicalism, and matter as the fundamental reality for materialism.

Answer

Physicalism being a broader concept encompassing materialism.

Question 32

Which of the following is a key principle of logical positivism?

Accepted Answer

Verifiability

Answer

Existentialism

Answer

Intuitionism

Answer

Phenomenalism

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of analytic statements?

Accepted Answer

Contingency

Answer

Necessity

Answer

Clarity

Answer

Verifiability

Question 34

Which of the following is a key feature of W.V.O. Quine's naturalized epistemology?

Accepted Answer

Rejection of the analytic-synthetic distinction

Answer

Emphasis on a priori knowledge

Answer

Defense of foundationalism

Answer

Skepticism about the external world

Question 35

The term 'ordinary language' in analytic philosophy refers to:

Accepted Answer

The language used in everyday conversation

Answer

The language used in philosophical theorizing

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The language used in formal logic

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The language used in scientific discourse

Question 36

What is the goal of 'therapeutic philosophy' as practiced by Ludwig Wittgenstein?

Accepted Answer

To dissolve philosophical problems

Answer

To provide a foundation for scientific knowledge

Answer

To establish a new system of metaphysics

Answer

To justify religious beliefs