Free Bachelor of Liberal Arts General Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does Socrates inquire of his admirers regarding the argument they were reading about in Plato's essay?
- justice in moderation is necessary for politics
- the concentrated study of justice
- about natural science
- is they're talking about important things (Correct answer)
Correct answer: is they're talking about important things
In Plato's dialogues, Socrates frequently employs the Socratic method, which involves asking probing questions to challenge assumptions and clarify understanding. He often begins by questioning the fundamental nature and importance of the topic at hand, ensuring that the discussion is focused on truly significant matters rather than superficial ones. This approach aims to guide his interlocutors toward a deeper and more meaningful pursuit of truth.
Question 2: What does the article by Alexis de Toqueville appeal to Americans and what do they overlook?
- is they're talking about important things
- following what the majority thinks-opinion polls
- practical things and we lose track of our ancestor's ideas (Correct answer)
- Do we love lies because the truth is more difficult?
Correct answer: practical things and we lose track of our ancestor's ideas
In 'Democracy in America,' Alexis de Tocqueville observed that Americans tend to be highly pragmatic and focused on practical, immediate concerns. He noted that this emphasis on utility often leads them to overlook or disregard the wisdom and philosophical traditions of their ancestors. Tocqueville suggested that this practical inclination, while beneficial in some ways, could also lead to a neglect of deeper intellectual and historical insights.
Question 3: What was the topic of Leo Strauss' article at the time?
- do we love lies because the truth is more difficult?
- positivism- to be able to make everything be explained by science and concerned with capitalism (Correct answer)
- justice in moderation is necessary for politics
- passion above reason and willpower
Correct answer: positivism- to be able to make everything be explained by science and concerned with capitalism
Leo Strauss was a significant critic of positivism, a philosophical movement that sought to explain all phenomena, including human behavior and society, through scientific methods. Strauss argued that this approach reduced political philosophy to mere historical or sociological analysis, neglecting fundamental questions of justice, morality, and the good life. He was concerned that positivism, often intertwined with modern capitalism, undermined the classical understanding of political philosophy and led to a relativism that eroded objective values.
Question 4: How do institutions, which are under pressure, maintain enrollment levels and keep you reading Ostrander's book?
- clergymen; people met in houses and studied things
- motivationally and with an intellectual foundation and application/ethics
- colleges make it easy to get in; and easy to stay in (Correct answer)
- you need a healthy regimen to be a good athlete
Correct answer: colleges make it easy to get in; and easy to stay in
Under pressure to maintain enrollment levels, some educational institutions adopt strategies that make it easier for students to both gain admission and remain enrolled. This can involve lowering admission standards or implementing policies that facilitate student retention, even if it means compromising academic rigor. The goal is often to ensure financial stability by keeping student numbers high, as discussed in works like Ostrander's 'The Story of American Higher Education'.
Question 5: In Plato's article, what type of person is a just soul?
- semi-private; more personal and private, Socrates can say what's on his mind
- some only in parts, some not very seriously and some very diligently
- a liberal education
- liberally educated and able to understand things the way that they are (Correct answer)
Correct answer: liberally educated and able to understand things the way that they are
In Plato's philosophy, particularly in 'The Republic,' a just soul is characterized by a harmonious balance of its three parts: reason, spirit, and appetite, with reason guiding the others. A liberally educated person, in Plato's view, cultivates their reason and intellect, enabling them to understand the true nature of things and live in accordance with virtue. This comprehensive understanding and rational self-governance are essential for achieving a just and well-ordered soul.
Question 6: What did Francis Bacon pioneer?
- a new empirical thinking of things (Correct answer)
- a liar
- a child
- at the height of the Cold War
Correct answer: a new empirical thinking of things
Francis Bacon is widely credited with pioneering a new empirical approach to scientific inquiry, advocating for observation and experimentation as the foundation of knowledge. He challenged the purely deductive reasoning prevalent in his time, proposing an inductive method that emphasized gathering data and drawing conclusions from evidence. This shift laid crucial groundwork for the development of the modern scientific method.
Question 7: In 1861, ____ altered the _____ in Leo Strauss' essay?
- Yale, phD (Correct answer)
- Thomas aquines
- Law
- Phd, changed
Correct answer: Yale, phD
In 1861, Yale University significantly altered the landscape of American higher education by awarding the first Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in the United States. This marked a pivotal moment, establishing a new standard for advanced academic research and scholarship. The introduction of the Ph.D. at Yale helped shape the modern university system and its emphasis on original contributions to knowledge.
Free Bachelor of Liberal Arts General Questions and Answers
What does Socrates inquire of his admirers regarding the argument they were reading about in Plato's essay?