Phil 100: Quizzes

Quiz 8: Please write your name and “Quiz 8” at the top of your paper. Then answer the following questions:
  1. What is a PR firm (3 points)? What is one way they have impacted American society or politics (2 points)?
  2. What is a Front Group (3 points)? What is one way they have impacted American society or politics (2 points)?

Quiz 7: Please write your name and “Quiz 7” at the top of your paper. Then answer the following questions:
  1. Max Black defines humbug as, “Deceptive misrepresentation, short of lying, especially by pretentious word or deed, of somebody’s own thoughts, feelings, or attitudes.” What are two issues Frankfurt raises with this definition? (3 points each) 
  2. According to Frankfurt, what is the difference between a lie and bullshit? (4 points)

Quiz 6
: Please write your name and "Quiz 6" at the top of your paper. Then answer the following questions:
  1. Briefly explain one of the methods of scientific research we discussed in class. (4 points)
  2. What is the demarcation problem? (2 points)
  3. Briefly describe two of the criteria we can use to distinguish science from pseudoscience. (2 points each)

Quiz 5
: Please write your name and "Quiz 5" at the top of your paper. Then answer the following questions:
  1. Explain the Forer Effect including the experiment that revealed it (3 points). What is an implication or application of this effect (2 points)?
  2. Explain the Asch Experiment, being sure to describe the nature of the experiment (3 points). What is an implication of this experiment (2 points)?

Quiz 4
: Please write your name and "Quiz 4" at the top of your paper. Each of the following passages commits at least one Fallacy of Relevance or Defective Induction. For each passage identify and explain one fallacy that occurs in it. Each passage is worth two points:
  1. From former President Bush's address to a joint session of Congress on September 20, 2001, “And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.”
  2. [I]t’s also a danger to our security. Let me explain why.  If we fail to act, the Assad regime will see no reason to stop using chemical weapons.  As the ban against these weapons erodes, other tyrants will have no reason to think twice about acquiring poison gas, and using them.  Over time, our troops would again face the prospect of chemical warfare on the battlefield.  And it could be easier for terrorist organizations to obtain these weapons, and to use them to attack civilians.
  3. Father: “Don’t play with that sharp stick son!” Son: “It’s not a stick dad, it is a lightsaber.”
  4. It's all coming out. This is their true agenda: mass murder and/or genocide. Those who support gun disarmament of the American people are supporting mass murder: Michael Moore, Piers Morgan, Biden, Obama, Cuomo... they are all proponents of mass murder.
  5. Lisa: “By your logic, I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away.”
    Homer is confused: “Hmm; how does it work?”
    Lisa: “It doesn’t work; it’s just a stupid rock!”
    Homer: “Uh-huh.”
    Lisa: “… but I don’t see any tigers around, do you?”
    Homer, after a moment’s thought: “Lisa, I want to buy your rock…”

Quiz 2: Please write your name and "Quiz 2" at the top of your paper. Then answer the following questions:
  1. In class we discussed four types or functions of definitions. Briefly describe three of them. (2 points each)
  2. In class we discussed three ways to define. Briefly describe two of them. (2 points each)

Quiz 1
: Please write your name and "Quiz 1" at the top of your paper. Then answer the following questions:
  1. Briefly explain two of the reasons Baillargeon gives for why he wrote our text. (2 points each)
  2. List and briefly describe three of the five functions of language we discussed in class. (2 points each)
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