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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. What happens when an onlooker tries to envision the church as a member of a throng of superstitions lobbying for believers?

2. What does Chesterton describe in the introduction as if being seen for the first time?

3. What does Chesterton say is important to note about the Iliad, the story of Troy?

4. What does Chesterton imply made the difference in the battle of Carthage and Rome?

5. How does Chesterton summarize the substance of pagan beliefs and mythologies?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Chesterton refute the idea that religion came from people's experiences with authority, dreams, and the cycles of life?

2. Who, according to Chesterton, are some of the greatest philosophers?

3. In the chapter titled "The War of the Gods and Demons", who are the Gods and who are the Demons? Why does Chesterton label them as such?

4. How does Troy and the Iliad enter into Chesterton's argument?

5. What simple truth about mankind does Chesterton deduce from his discussion of the cave drawings? What arguments does he make?

6. Explain how and why, according to Chesterton, the pace at which things move changes our perception of them.

7. Explain the significance that Chesterton gives the cave drawings regarding the nature of the cave man.

8. Explain the phrase from the introduction, "...The moment we are really impartial about it, we know why people are partial to it."

9. Explain how, according to Chesterton, monotheistic religion becomes polytheistic.

10. As a way to demonstrate the potential deficiencies in deductive reasoning, Chesterton uses an example of 20th Century initials being carved in a rock. Explain this example and what it is meant to convey.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chesterton discusses at length the metaphor of the key. Write an essay about the way in which religion is, or is not, like a key.

Part 1. Summarize Chesterton's statements regarding religion being like a key.

Part 2. Agree or refute his metaphor, and provide reasons for your position.

Part 3. Provide concrete examples or experiences to back up your position.

Essay Topic 2

Chesterton spends quite a bit of time disputing the popular scientific theories of his time. Write an essay about the scientific theories on the origins of man.

Part 1. How is new knowledge incorporated into the scientific record? Explain the scientific method.

Part 2. What special difficulties does research into an untestable subject such as prehistory present? What methods have been developed to work around them?

Part 3. What are the current scientific theories regarding the origins of man?

Part 4. How do these theories differ with the ones existent in Chesterton's time? Are his arguments still valid?

Essay Topic 3

On page 82 Chesterton refers to Comtism. Auguste Comte's positivistic philosophy states that metaphysics and theology should be replaced by a hierarchy of sciences. Write an essay about the philosophies of Auguste Comte.

Part 1. Who was Auguste Comte? Write a short biography of the man.

Part 2. What philosophy is he known for? Discuss positivism and Comtism.

Part 3. How do the philosophies of Comte differ from the positions of Chesterton?

Part 4. What is your reaction to the philosophies of Comte?

(see the answer keys)

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