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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Wilson describe ant colonies?
(a) As superorganisms.
(b) As a kind of controlled chaos.
(c) As the sum of their constituent ants.
(d) As interdependent systems.

2. What kind of progress does Wilson see in the history of life on earth?
(a) He sees a tendency toward complexity.
(b) He sees a punctuated equilibrium.
(c) He sees the role of blind chance marring the evolutionary record.
(d) He sees a tendency toward adaptation to environment.

3. How would you describe the relationship between Descartes' theories and modern science of the brain?
(a) Descartes sense of consciousness' abstraction has been embraced by scientists who practice consilience.
(b) Modern science has centered on the role of doubt in awareness.
(c) Descartes' dualism has been rejected.
(d) The molecular work on the brain has completely surpassed anything Descartes theorized.

4. What does science try to integrate, in Wilson's account?
(a) The history of science.
(b) Elements of systems.
(c) The foundations of different sciences.
(d) Systems of explaining phenomena.

5. What can biological research do for complexity theory, in Wilson's account?
(a) Demonstrate how the cell is a unified organism.
(b) Demonstrate how many variables influence a cell's functioning.
(c) Demonstrate how the cell has adapted to the numerous variables that influence its functions.
(d) Demonstrate how layers of complexity interact.

6. What does Wilson say that humans are incapable of seeing?
(a) The history of things.
(b) The state of grace.
(c) Change over time.
(d) The world in its true state.

7. What effect does Wilson say evolution had?
(a) It revealed the mechanism of God's working.
(b) It changed the classification of animals.
(c) It changed the social order among men.
(d) It ended the importance of religion.

8. What subject would Wilson like to see more of in undergraduate education?
(a) Humanities.
(b) Philosophy.
(c) Sciences.
(d) Arts.

9. In Wilson's account, why did the French Revolution fail?
(a) Because of the intellectual opposition to the tyranny of the revolution.
(b) Because of international fear of the spread of revolution.
(c) Because of the excesses of tyrants and terrorists.
(d) Because the efficiency of the military in the Reign of Terror allowed Napoleon's rise.

10. What does Wilson say was the consequence of Robespierre's employment of the concept of the general will?
(a) Napoleon rose to power.
(b) The French undermined their own revolution.
(c) 17,000 Frenchmen were killed.
(d) The French went to war with Russia.

11. What is the difference between primary and secondary emotions?
(a) Primary emotions are tied to instincts, secondary emotions are tied to homeostatic regulation.
(b) Primary emotions are deliberate, secondary emotions are unconscious.
(c) Primary emotions are conscious, secondary emotions are instinctual.
(d) Primary emotions are inborn, secondary emotions are personal.

12. What event marks the end of the Enlightenment, in Wilson's account?
(a) The American Revolution.
(b) The death of de Sade.
(c) The birth of Wordsworth.
(d) The French Revolution.

13. How did Wilson react against the religion he inherited?
(a) He maintained his faith in spite of his scientific research.
(b) He tried to reconcile his science with his faith.
(c) He rejected literal interpretation of the Bible.
(d) He embraced it but insisted on the ability to hold exclusive beliefs.

14. What interpret does Wilson give the myth of Icarus?
(a) It represents the value of learning over freedom.
(b) It represents the benefit of age and wisdom.
(c) It represents man's tragic nature.
(d) It represents man's daring.

15. How does Wilson explain the ideal scientist's work ethic?
(a) Think like whales, work like minnows.
(b) Think like poets, work like bookkeepers.
(c) Think like eagles, work like ants.
(d) Think like children, work like fathers.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Locke distinguish between culture and history?

2. How can science help us, in Wilson's account?

3. Under what circumstances are theories accepted universally?

4. How does Wilson describe the strength of the French Revolution?

5. What religion was Wilson born into?

(see the answer keys)

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