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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Locke say we cannot have an innate morality?
(a) Because he demonstrates that morality is not instinctual.
(b) Because innate ideas are impossible.
(c) Because there is no room in the genes.
(d) Because instincts are not moral.

2. What does Locke describe as an abuse of words?
(a) Using words to insult people.
(b) Using words without clear meaning.
(c) Inventing meanings for words.
(d) Using words incorrectly deliberately.

3. Which grammatical particle does Locke examine in detail?
(a) On.
(b) In.
(c) Under.
(d) But.

4. What would happen if words referred to particular things, in Locke's opinion?
(a) Everyone would need to be an even larger language for classes of things.
(b) No one would know that classes of things existed.
(c) No one would understand each other's vocabulary.
(d) There would have to be a word for each thing.

5. What are people who believe in human freedom called?
(a) Relativists.
(b) Fatalists.
(c) Determinists.
(d) Libertarians.

6. How does Locke define desire?
(a) The force that moves the world.
(b) The projection of happiness on things outside the self.
(c) The urgent need to merge with something outside the self.
(d) The need to return to a previous bliss.

7. What do we have when an abstract idea cannot be broken down?
(a) Distinct ideas.
(b) Simple ideas.
(c) Complex ideas.
(d) Detailed words.

8. What does Locke say the increase of our intellectual powers follows?
(a) Expansion of vocabulary.
(b) Abstraction of ideas.
(c) Standardization of terminology.
(d) Simplification of ideas.

9. What do cause and effect derive from according to Locke?
(a) Freedom and fate.
(b) Cause and effect.
(c) Good and evil.
(d) Pain and pleasure.

10. What consequence does Locke describe if there were individual words for each thing?
(a) Politics would be chaotic.
(b) Knowledge would be impeded.
(c) Trade would be impossible.
(d) Economies would remain simple.

11. What defines a philosophical usage of a word, according to Locke?
(a) Highly specialized definitions.
(b) Essential, eternal meanings.
(c) Technical uses in court.
(d) Generally accepted definitions.

12. Who is guilty of reification, according to Locke?
(a) Scientists.
(b) Historians.
(c) Metaphysical philosophers.
(d) Materialist philosophers.

13. What is the philosopher's most important job, according to Locke?
(a) Demolish opponents' arguments.
(b) Clarify meanings of terms.
(c) Recall the steps by which truth was arrived at.
(d) Arrive at truth.

14. How does Locke define love?
(a) Aspiring to improve oneself.
(b) Seeking pleasure.
(c) Mingling pleasure and pain.
(d) Reflecting on something that causes delight.

15. What does Locke say each distinct idea is?
(a) A general idea.
(b) A simple idea.
(c) An essence.
(d) A word.

Short Answer Questions

1. How can we understand the properties of things, according to Locke?

2. What does Locke say desires have in common?

3. Why don't most words refer to simple ideas, in Locke's account?

4. What idea does Locke say we use when we define a horse?

5. What does Locke say pleasure and pain are the foundation for?

(see the answer keys)

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