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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the limitation of understanding, according to Locke?
(a) We do not always know how to distinguish it from faith.
(b) We cannot use it in religion or spirituality.
(c) It cannot reckon things that cannot be perceived.
(d) We cannot turn it against itself.

2. How does Locke define 'idea'?
(a) The object of understanding.
(b) The purpose of understanding.
(c) The source of understanding.
(d) The result of understanding.

3. Which concept was beyond the sphere of Locke's inquiry?
(a) What the mind is.
(b) Why we should or should not believe certain things.
(c) Why some beliefs are better than others.
(d) Where our beliefs come from.

4. What does Locke say about the knowledge of how property rules should be established?
(a) It must be doubted.
(b) It must be learned.
(c) It should be scientifically evaluated.
(d) It must be established anew each generation.

5. Composition is the ability to do what, according to Locke?
(a) Invent new ideas.
(b) Replace ideas with other ideas.
(c) Use ideas for practical purposes.
(d) Combine ideas.

6. What does Locke say perception creates?
(a) Ideas.
(b) Symbols.
(c) Experiences.
(d) Language.

7. What does Locke say about the difference between reflection and sensation?
(a) Sensation provides material for reflection.
(b) Reflection works first.
(c) They are not totally different.
(d) They are mutually exclusive.

8. Where do primary qualities originate, according to Locke?
(a) Interactions.
(b) They do not originate.
(c) Experiences.
(d) Things themselves.

9. Where do ideas come from, according to Locke?
(a) Sense experiences.
(b) History.
(c) The mind itself.
(d) Genes.

10. To what does Locke attribute the ability to create technology and to organize our environment?
(a) Reason.
(b) Science.
(c) Sensitivity.
(d) Perception.

11. How does Locke describe experience?
(a) One of the ingredients of knowledge.
(b) The consequence of knowledge.
(c) The only foundation for knowledge.
(d) The least important component in knowledge.

12. What does Locke describe the mind as?
(a) A library.
(b) A blank slate.
(c) A battlefield.
(d) A cultural storehouse.

13. Which is NOT a category of complex ideas, according to Locke?
(a) Substances.
(b) Styles.
(c) Relations.
(d) Modes.

14. How does Locke try to look at understanding?
(a) As the result of evolution.
(b) In a vacuum.
(c) Biologically.
(d) Relative to the passions.

15. Who proposed the notion that knowledge begins in doubt?
(a) Descartes.
(b) Plotinus.
(c) Aristotle.
(d) Plato.

Short Answer Questions

1. Discerning is the ability to do what, according to Locke?

2. Abstraction is the ability to do what, according to Locke?

3. How does Locke say the concept of innate knowledge ultimately fails?

4. Where does understanding originate, according to Locke?

5. What does Locke say must be learned along with ideas?

(see the answer keys)

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