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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 does Kant say divides man into sects that does not join them together?

2. Historically, what is an attempt to discover and explain the ultimate nature of reality?

3. What bold denial of Kant's is based on reduction of religion to moral faith and hope?

4. What does Spencer call a rationalizing myth for belief that defies conception?

5. Who leads the popular philosophic community of the early 19th century?

Short Essay Questions

1. Define the difference between the study of science and the study of social studies and political affairs.

2. Explain briefly how Russell became agnostic.

3. Describe the competition between Schopenhauer and Hegel.

4. How does Nietzsche see Christian theology in his day?

5. In his The Critique of Pure Reason how does Kant say knowledge comes?

6. Briefly describe Spencer's formula of evolution.

7. How does Schopenhauer illustrate, along with Aristotle, that the power of will drives plants, animals and man?

8. What is the value Kant sees of the Bible and the churches?

9. How is Immanuel Kant's work burst on the European consciousness?

10. Describe Herbert Spencer as a man.

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 skepticism. Define the term and give examples of ideas philosophers might be skeptical about. Approach this subject objectively showing how skepticism does not only apply to religion but science as well. Use the disagreement over teaching Darwinism in our schools to show skepticism on both sides of the issue.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on philosopher-kings. Include in your essay the way proponents of philosopher-kings probably saw themselves as able to govern justly. Explain why the theory that sounds well never worked well in reality.

(see the answer keys)

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