Phil 1301 Final Exam Review

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  • 1/189 Questions

    According to Descartes, effects can be more real than their causes.

    • True
    • False
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About This Quiz

This final exam review for Phil 1301 focuses on Descartes' Meditations, particularly examining his arguments on the existence of God and the nature of reality and perfection. It assesses understanding of key philosophical concepts and critical thinking skills.

Philosophy Quizzes & Trivia

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  • 2. 

    In Meditation 3, Descartes fully trusts his impulse in regard to things existing outside of him.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes does not fully trust his impulse in regard to things existing outside of him in Meditation 3. Instead, he doubts the existence of external objects and questions the reliability of his senses. He believes that his senses can deceive him, leading to false perceptions of reality. Therefore, he suspends judgment on the existence of external things until he can establish a secure foundation for knowledge.

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  • 3. 

    In Meditation 3, Descartes is certain that something other than himself exists because he has an idea of something in which more reality is contained than the total reality within himself.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 3, Descartes argues that something other than himself must exist because he has an idea of something that contains more reality than he does. This idea must have come from something outside of himself, as he cannot create something more perfect than himself. Therefore, Descartes concludes that there must be something external to him that exists. This supports the statement that the answer is true.

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  • 4. 

    According to Meditation 3, Descartes believes that he can be certain of anything regardless of whether or not God is a deceiver.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    According to Meditation 3, Descartes does not believe that he can be certain of anything regardless of whether or not God is a deceiver. In fact, Descartes argues that if God is a deceiver, then all his beliefs could be false, and therefore he cannot be certain of anything. Descartes seeks to establish a foundation of knowledge by proving the existence of a non-deceiving God. Therefore, the statement is false.

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  • 5. 

    According to Descartes, infinity is achieved through negation of the finite.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes did not believe that infinity is achieved through the negation of the finite. In fact, Descartes argued that infinity is a positive and distinct concept from the finite. He believed that the concept of infinity is innate to the human mind and cannot be derived from negating the finite. Therefore, the given statement is false.

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  • 6. 

    Descartes at least implies that he must know what perfection is in order to know what imperfection is.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes suggests that in order to understand what imperfection is, one must have knowledge of what perfection is. This implies that understanding the concept of perfection is necessary to identify and recognize its opposite, imperfection. Therefore, the correct answer is true.

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  • 7. 

    Descartes claims to be perfect.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes does not claim to be perfect. In fact, he famously stated "I think, therefore I am," emphasizing the existence of his mind but not asserting perfection. Descartes acknowledged his fallibility and the limitations of human knowledge, which is evident in his philosophical works such as "Meditations on First Philosophy." Therefore, the correct answer is False.

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  • 8. 

    Descartes’ crucial observation about the wax is that:

    • It melts when heated.

    • Its shape and texture can be altered.

    • What I believe about it is due to what I perceive in it.

    • I continue to know it, despite numerous external changes.

    Correct Answer
    A. I continue to know it, despite numerous external changes.
    Explanation
    Descartes' crucial observation about the wax is that he continues to know it, despite numerous external changes. This means that even though the wax may change in shape, texture, and even melt when heated, Descartes still recognizes it as the same substance. This observation highlights Descartes' belief in the existence of an unchanging and immutable essence underlying the changing properties of physical objects.

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  • 9. 

    At the end of Meditation Two, what does Descartes know?

    • Descartes does not know anything

    • Descartes knows that he is a thinking thing

    • Descartes knows that he does not know

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Descartes knows that he is a thinking thing
    Explanation
    In Meditation Two, Descartes reaches the conclusion that he exists as a thinking thing. He doubts everything else, including the existence of his body and the external world. However, he cannot doubt his own existence as a thinking thing because the very act of doubting requires thinking. Therefore, Descartes knows that he is a thinking thing, even though he may not know anything else for certain.

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  • 10. 

    In Meditation 1, Descartes states that the senses can never deceive us and are trustworthy.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes actually argues in Meditation 1 that the senses can be deceptive and are not always trustworthy. He introduces the concept of the evil demon, a powerful deceiver who can manipulate our perceptions and make us believe in false things. Descartes believes that because our senses have deceived us in the past, we cannot fully rely on them to provide us with accurate knowledge about the external world. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

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  • 11. 

    According to Descartes's wax example, those things sensed about objects are not clearly and distinctly grasped because, even though they can all change, the wax still remains.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Descartes's wax example, he argues that the properties sensed about objects, such as color, shape, and size, are not clearly and distinctly grasped because they can all change. However, even though these properties change, the wax itself remains. This implies that our senses can be deceptive and do not provide us with a clear understanding of the true nature of objects. Therefore, the statement is true according to Descartes's reasoning.

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  • 12. 

    In Meditation 2, Descartes establishes that objects are not grasped by the imagination, but through the mind alone.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 2, Descartes argues that objects are not perceived or understood through the imagination, but rather through the mind alone. He believes that the imagination is limited and unreliable, whereas the mind has the ability to grasp and understand objects in a more reliable and accurate way. Therefore, the statement "objects are not grasped by the imagination, but through the mind alone" is true based on Descartes' arguments in Meditation 2.

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  • 13. 

    Descartes believes that he understood the wax better initially through the senses, rather than later after he had pondered on it with the mind.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes actually believed the opposite: he argued that understanding the wax was not possible through the senses alone, as the properties of the wax change when it melts. Instead, he believed that true understanding could only be achieved through the mind, through rational thought and analysis. Therefore, the statement that Descartes understood the wax better initially through the senses is false.

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  • 14. 

    In meditation 1, Descartes at least implies that he has to be sure he isn't dreaming before he can properly claim to know something.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 1, Descartes suggests that before claiming to know something, he must first ensure that he is not dreaming. This implies that he recognizes the possibility of being deceived by his senses while dreaming, and therefore, he needs to establish a foundation of certainty before building his knowledge. By acknowledging the potential influence of dreams on his perception, Descartes emphasizes the importance of skepticism and the need for a reliable method to distinguish reality from illusion.

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  • 15. 

    Descartes says that he will prove all his previous opinions wrong.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes did not say that he will prove all his previous opinions wrong. In fact, he aimed to doubt all his beliefs and opinions in order to establish a foundation of knowledge based on certainty. He famously stated, "I think, therefore I am," as a starting point for his philosophical inquiry. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

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  • 16. 

    Descartes says that removing the foundation of his beliefs is sufficient to justify doubting all those beliefs.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes argues that by removing the foundation of his beliefs, he can justify doubting all of those beliefs. This implies that if the foundation of his beliefs is uncertain or unreliable, then the entire structure built upon it can also be questioned. Therefore, it is true that Descartes believes removing the foundation is enough to justify doubting all of his beliefs.

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  • 17. 

    Descartes says he received his most certain beliefs from his parents.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Descartes did not claim to have received his most certain beliefs from his parents. In fact, he doubted all his beliefs and sought to establish a foundation of knowledge based on reason and evidence. He famously declared "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am") as the only belief that he found to be indubitable. Thus, the statement that Descartes received his most certain beliefs from his parents is false.

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  • 18. 

    Descartes says he knows he has a mind better than that he has a body.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes believed in the concept of dualism, which suggests that the mind and body are separate entities. He argued that while he could doubt the existence of his physical body, he could not doubt the existence of his mind. This is because even if his body was an illusion or a product of deception, he would still need a mind to doubt or question its existence. Therefore, Descartes claimed that he knew he had a mind better than he knew he had a body.

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  • 19. 

    Descartes defends the Fool

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    The statement "Descartes defends the Fool" is incorrect. Descartes, a philosopher, did not defend the Fool. This means that the correct answer is False.

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  • 20. 

    In Meditation 4, Descartes declares that God's existence is questionable because of the existence of unexplainable events.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    In Meditation 4, Descartes does not declare that God's existence is questionable because of the existence of unexplainable events. Instead, he argues for the existence of God based on the concept of a perfect being and the idea that existence is a necessary attribute of God. Therefore, the statement is false.

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  • 21. 

    In Meditation 4, Descartes asserts that the free will is the faculty that most closely resembles the perfection of God because it is relatively limitless.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 4, Descartes argues that free will is the faculty that most closely resembles the perfection of God because it is relatively limitless. He believes that God's perfection includes infinite power and freedom, and since free will allows us to make choices without external constraints, it resembles God's unlimited freedom. Therefore, the statement is true.

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  • 22. 

    In Meditation 4, Descartes declares that he is freer when he is compelled to to choose one thing over another, rather than being indifferent to either choice.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 4, Descartes argues that having to make a choice between two options makes him feel freer than when he is indifferent to either choice. He believes that when he is compelled to choose, it demonstrates his ability to exercise his will and make decisions, which he sees as a sign of freedom. This contrasts with being indifferent, where he feels limited and lacks the sense of freedom that comes with making a deliberate choice. Therefore, the statement "he is freer when he is compelled to choose one thing over another, rather than being indifferent to either choice" is true according to Descartes' perspective.

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  • 23. 

    Meditation 1 is a metaphysical argument.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    The given statement suggests that Meditation 1 is a metaphysical argument. However, the correct answer is False. This means that Meditation 1 is not a metaphysical argument.

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  • 24. 

    In Meditation 4, Descartes says that in all fraud and deception some imperfection is to be found.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 4, Descartes argues that all fraud and deception involve some level of imperfection. He believes that deception can only occur if there is a gap between reality and the perception of reality, which indicates a flaw or imperfection in our understanding. Therefore, the statement that in all fraud and deception some imperfection is to be found is true according to Descartes' philosophy.

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  • 25. 

    In Meditation 4, Free will is one of the causes of human errors, according to Descartes.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 4, Descartes argues that free will is one of the causes of human errors. He believes that our ability to choose and make decisions can lead us astray and cause us to make mistakes. Descartes suggests that our free will is not always guided by reason and can be influenced by our passions and desires, leading to errors in judgment. Therefore, the statement that free will is one of the causes of human errors is true according to Descartes' perspective.

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  • 26. 

    In Meditation 4, Descartes say he should judge only when he has a clear and distinct understanding.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 4, Descartes argues that one should only judge when they have a clear and distinct understanding. This means that before making any judgments or conclusions about something, one should ensure that their understanding of it is clear and distinct, free from any doubts or confusion. This approach aligns with Descartes' method of doubt and skepticism, where he seeks to establish a foundation of knowledge based on indubitable truths. By requiring a clear and distinct understanding before making judgments, Descartes aims to avoid errors and uncertainties in his reasoning process. Therefore, the statement "In Meditation 4, Descartes says he should judge only when he has a clear and distinct understanding" is true.

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  • 27. 

    In Meditation 4, perfect things do not necessarily create perfect products. As long as the product matches the creator's intentions, it can be imperfect.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The explanation for the given correct answer is that in Meditation 4, it is stated that perfect things do not necessarily create perfect products. This means that even if something is considered perfect, it does not guarantee that the outcome or product created from it will also be perfect. As long as the product aligns with the creator's intentions, it can still be considered acceptable or successful, even if it is imperfect. Therefore, the statement "perfect things do not necessarily create perfect products" supports the idea that the answer is true.

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  • 28. 

    In Meditation 4, our willingness to judge is infinite but our ability to judge right from wrong is finite.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The explanation for the given correct answer is that in Meditation 4, it is argued that our willingness to make judgments is unlimited, meaning we have the capacity to judge anything and everything. However, our ability to accurately judge what is right from wrong is limited. This suggests that while we may have the desire to judge and make decisions, we are not always capable of doing so correctly. Therefore, the statement is true as it aligns with the argument presented in Meditation 4.

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  • 29. 

    In Meditation 4, Descartes says that it is the improper use of freedom, not God's faculty of freedom, or how God uses it, that causes errors.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditation 4, Descartes argues that errors occur due to the improper use of freedom, rather than being caused by God's faculty of freedom or how God uses it. This means that humans have the ability to make mistakes when they misuse their freedom, but it does not imply any limitations or flaws in God's freedom. Therefore, the statement "it is the improper use of freedom, not God's faculty of freedom, or how God uses it, that causes errors" is true.

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  • 30. 

    Elisabeth thinks that contact is compatible with an immaterial thing.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Elisabeth believes that contact is compatible with an immaterial thing. This means that she thinks it is possible for something that is not physical or tangible to have contact with something else. However, this belief is not true. Contact implies a physical interaction between two objects or entities. Therefore, Elisabeth's belief is false.

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  • 31. 

    Descartes believes that we have certain primitive notions upon which all our knowledge is based.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes believed that our knowledge is based on certain primitive notions. These notions are innate and serve as the foundation for all our understanding and reasoning. According to Descartes, these primitive notions are self-evident and cannot be doubted. Therefore, the statement "Descartes believes that we have certain primitive notions upon which all our knowledge is based" is true.

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  • 32. 

    Descartes relays to Elisabeth that mistakes come from the fact that humans take their primitive notions and apply them to things to which they do not pertain.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes explains to Elisabeth that mistakes occur when humans apply their basic ideas to things that they do not actually relate to. This implies that errors arise when individuals incorrectly use their fundamental notions in inappropriate contexts. Therefore, the statement "mistakes come from the fact that humans take their primitive notions and apply them to things to which they do not pertain" is true.

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  • 33. 

    Descartes tells Elisabeth that, in order to understand the union of the soul to the body, she must separate those notions belonging solely to the body and solely to the soul from those that involve the union of the soul to the body.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes advises Elisabeth to distinguish between concepts related exclusively to the body, concepts related exclusively to the soul, and concepts that involve the connection between the two. This suggests that the statement is true, as Descartes indeed suggests this separation in order to understand the union of the soul and body.

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  • 34. 

    Descartes believes that Elisabeth has confused the notion of the force by which the soul acts to move the body with the force of one body acting upon another. These are two different notions.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes believes that Elisabeth has confused two different notions: the force by which the soul acts to move the body and the force of one body acting upon another. He argues that these notions are distinct from each other. Therefore, the correct answer is true, as it aligns with Descartes' perspective on the matter.

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  • 35. 

    Elisabeth exclaims to Descartes that she is unable to completely rid herself of the errors mentioned by Descartes because she is, at times, too busy to meditate in the same way that he did.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The given answer is true because Elisabeth admits that she is unable to completely rid herself of the errors mentioned by Descartes. She explains that this is because she is sometimes too busy to meditate in the same way that he did. This implies that Elisabeth recognizes the value of Descartes' method of meditation for eliminating errors, but acknowledges her own inability to consistently practice it due to her busy schedule.

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  • 36. 

    Elisabeth states to Descartes that it would be easier to say that the soul is a material thing with extension than to say that an immaterial soul without extension could move the body.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Elisabeth argues that it is easier to believe that the soul is a material thing with extension because it would be more logical to understand how a material soul can move the body. On the other hand, it is difficult to comprehend how an immaterial soul without extension can have the power to move the physical body. Therefore, the statement is true as Elisabeth suggests that it is easier to believe in a material soul with extension than an immaterial soul without extension.

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  • 37. 

    Descartes tells Elisabeth that, even though the soul could be material, it has to be separable from the body.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes argues that the soul and the body are distinct entities, and even though the soul may have material properties, it can still exist separately from the body. This separation is possible because the soul is not dependent on the body for its existence. Therefore, the statement that the soul must be separable from the body is true according to Descartes' philosophy.

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  • 38. 

    Elisabeth tells Descartes that the senses show her that the soul does move the body, but they do not show her how it does so.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Elisabeth's statement suggests that she believes the soul is capable of moving the body, as indicated by her observation through the senses. However, she acknowledges that the senses do not provide an explanation for how this movement occurs. Therefore, the statement is true as it accurately reflects Elisabeth's perspective on the relationship between the soul and the body.

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  • 39. 

    Descartes tells Elisabeth that one of the principal and most frequent errors we make is in attempting to use the senses to explain things to which they do not pertain.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes argues that one of the common mistakes we make is relying on our senses to explain things that they are not capable of explaining. He believes that our senses can only provide us with limited and subjective information about the physical world, and thus cannot be relied upon to understand abstract or metaphysical concepts. Therefore, the statement that Descartes tells Elisabeth that using the senses to explain things they do not pertain to is a principal and frequent error is true.

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  • 40. 

     In Meditation 1, Descartes says he will assume that God gave him his senses. 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    In Meditation 1, Descartes does not state that he will assume that God gave him his senses. Instead, he questions the reliability of his senses and considers the possibility that they may be deceived by an evil demon. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

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  • 41. 

    In Meditations 3 and 4, Descartes says that in all fraud and deception some imperfection is the cause.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In Meditations 3 and 4, Descartes argues that fraud and deception occur because there is some sort of imperfection or flaw present. He believes that if something is perfect, it cannot deceive or be deceived. Therefore, he concludes that in all cases of fraud and deception, there must be some imperfection that is causing it. This aligns with the statement "in all fraud and deception some imperfection is the cause," making the answer true.

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  • 42. 

    In Meditations 3 and 4, Descartes says that perfect things are very likely to engage in deception.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    In Meditations 3 and 4, Descartes does not say that perfect things are very likely to engage in deception. In fact, Descartes argues that perfect things, such as God, cannot engage in deception because deception is a sign of imperfection. Descartes believes that perfect beings are inherently truthful and cannot deceive. Therefore, the statement "perfect things are very likely to engage in deception" is false.

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  • 43. 

    In Meditation 4, Descartes blames all of his mistakes on God.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    In Meditation 4, Descartes does not blame all of his mistakes on God. Instead, he reflects on the possibility that an evil demon may be deceiving him and causing him to make errors in his thinking. He questions the reliability of his senses and the certainty of his beliefs, but he does not attribute his mistakes to God.

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  • 44. 

    On page 13, Descartes says his project or goal was not to explain how the soul and body interact, but just that they're separate.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes states on page 13 that his objective was not to provide an explanation for the interaction between the soul and body, but rather to establish their distinctness. This implies that Descartes did not intend to delve into the mechanics of their interaction, but rather to assert their separate existence. Therefore, the given answer "True" accurately reflects Descartes' intention in his work.

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  • 45. 

    On page 17, Descartes says the following are primitive notions: soul, body, and the union of the two.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes states on page 17 that the soul, body, and the union of the two are primitive notions. This means that these concepts are considered fundamental and cannot be further reduced or defined by any other concepts. Therefore, the correct answer is true, as it accurately reflects Descartes' statement.

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  • 46. 

    On page 11 to 12, Elisabeth says the problem is that immaterial things cannot contact other things.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Elisabeth's statement on pages 11 to 12 suggests that she believes immaterial things are unable to make contact with other things. Therefore, the correct answer is true.

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  • 47. 

    On page 13, Descartes says, roughly, that it would be a mistake to explain the soul in material terms.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes argues that the soul cannot be explained in material terms, implying that it is not a physical entity. This aligns with his philosophy of dualism, which posits that the mind and body are separate entities. According to Descartes, the soul is a thinking substance that exists independently of the physical body. Therefore, the statement is true.

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  • 48. 

    Descartes tells Elisabeth that, because primitive notions are innate, we can acquire them even though we cannot explain them.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes argues that primitive notions, which are basic and fundamental concepts, are innate and can be acquired without being able to explain them. This means that even though we may not fully understand or articulate these notions, we still possess them inherently. Therefore, the statement is true.

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  • 49. 

    Descartes tells Elisabeth that he can imagine thought without extension, therefore, extension is not necessary for thought (conceivability argument?).

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Descartes argues that he can conceive of thought without extension, suggesting that extension is not a necessary condition for thought. This implies that it is possible for thought to exist independently of physical attributes such as size or shape. Therefore, the statement is true.

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