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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. Who are the students of Socrates?

2. What does Spinoza say a literal interpretation of the Bible does?

3. What does Plato say is a science and art one must live and prepare for?

4. What drives the Jews out of their natural home?

5. What is the first of four books written by Spinoza?

Short Essay Questions

1. Contrast Aristotle's Lyceum with Plato's Academy.

2. Describe Spinoza's synonymous dichotomies.

3. What is Voltaire's reaction to Rousseau's suggestion that men were responsible for the deaths in the Lisbon earthquake?

4. Explain the reasons for a break between Plato and Aristotle.

5. Describe the origins of stoicism and Epicureanism in Greek philosophy.

6. How does the scope of Bacon's philosophy miss his goal?

7. Describe the idols Bacon identifies and wants to eliminate.

8. What is a common criticism of Voltaire?

9. How does Voltaire research his writing?

10. Explain Aristotle's definition of God.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on Santayana's concept of Animal Faith which he says he lives by. Express your opinion about his assertion that Animal Faith may be faith in a myth but it is a good myth. Include the idea of being skeptically strict to justify a certain amount of Animal Faith to live by. Show how Santayana suggests that transcendentalism leaves room for a need for Animal Faith.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on aesthetics, the theory of beauty and art. Include your assessment of why aesthetics is such an important part of philosophy. Discuss the various ways of looking at beauty and art from the study of THE STORY OF PHILOSOPHY.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the death of Socrates. In your essay discuss the devotion of his students and why Socrates chooses not to escape Athens but drink the hemlock instead. Be sure to include the real reason Socrates is sentenced to death.

(see the answer keys)

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