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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. According to Chesterton, what keeps a man sane?
2. According to Chesterton, when is a disease beautiful?
3. How does H. G. Wells perceive categories of things?
4. How does Chesterton describe a madman's reasoning?
5. How does today's skeptic compare to the skeptic of the French Revolution, according to Chesterton?
Short Essay Questions
1. What does a pragmatist believe and how does he compare to a determinist? What is Chesterton's opinion of pragmatism? How is pragmatism fundamentally separated from the truth?
2. The second problem with modern thought is that it is intellectually weak and helpless. What does Chesterton mean by this idea? How is it manifested in everyday life, much less intellectual circles?
3. In the example of the explorer who only discovers his own land, Chesterton says that his first emotion might be foolishness. This should not be the sole emotion, though. Why does Chesterton name foolishness as the first emotion and how might this fit the religious explorer?
4. Poetry is the only thing that keeps a man sane, while reason drives him insane. How does Chesterton support this argument, and is it plausible?
5. Chesterton says that a perfect view of the world combines a searching mind with the feeling of being welcomed. What does this mean? How does it relate to Christianity?
6. Humility is chiefly understood chiefly as a restraint on a man's arrogance and boasting. What is Chesterton's argument concerning humility? What example does he give to illustrate a humble view of the world?
7. In Chapter I, Introduction in Defense of Everything Else, Chesterton states that he hates the defense of something that cannot be proved or disproved. How is this important for the rest of the book?
8. What is "the false theory of progress" (Chesterton 2000, pg 196)? What implications does it have for daily life?
9. Why does Chesterton claim that fairyland is more rational than the scientific world? Does the sense of wonder remain?
10. Why does Chesterton's second notion of fairyland entail praise?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Chesterton wants only a Utopia that allows him to restrict himself, to bind his own liberties. What does he mean by this? What are the advantages and disadvantages? What is your idea of Utopia, and does it coincide at any point with Chesterton's idea?
Essay Topic 2
How does Christianity answer illogical questions in the world? Do you think these answers are valid? Why was Chesterton puzzled at these answers, and how did it lead him to question atheism?
Essay Topic 3
Chesterton contrasts pantheism and action - how do they differ? What is the ultimate result of pantheism? How is this distinction related to the differences between Buddhism and Christianity regarding God?
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This section contains 1,530 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
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