Practice Questions for Test 1

1. Practice Questions for Test 1 Critical Thinking Fall 2005 Schreiner University instructor Holloway

2. Multiple Choice Questions For the following questions select the best answer from the choices given.

3. 1. According to the text, it is unreasonable to say or believe that “Relativism” or Subjectivism” is true because a. it is untrue that everyone disagrees about the truth. b. philosophers have agreed for centuries that there can only be one truth. c. it is impossible to say or believe that “Relativism” or Subjectivism” is true without contradicting oneself. d. no one really believes that someone else’s “truth” is just as true as their own “truth.”

4. 2. What obstacle to Critical Thinking arises out of the tendency to cherish and defend those beliefs most closely associated with one’s identity? a. Nationalism b. Egocentrism c. Relativism d. Autonomy

5. 3. According to the text, by cultivating an attitude of intellectual humility, a. we are better able to overcome the obstacles to Critical Thinking posed by the pitfalls of “Egocentrism.” b. it becomes reasonable to assume that at least some of our beliefs, especially those which go unexamined, are not true. c. we are potentaially subject to intimidation by authority. d. all of the above

6. 4. The Milgram experiments discussed in chapter one of the text are intended to illustrate that a. only uneducated and gullible individuals are likely to abandon their own judgement to authority figures. b. any experiment that is cleverly devised can cause people to do crazy things that they otherwise would never have done. c. many normal intelligent people, when instructed by an authority will act against their better judgement. d. all of the above

7. 5. According to the text, an assumption is a. a claim for which there is ample evidence. b. a claim which is taken to be true despite the fact that there is considerable evidence against it. c. a claim for which we have only a sparse amount of evidence. d. a claim which is taken to be true without argument.

8. 6. According to the text, an issue is a. a flaw in one’s character. For example, when someone says, “He’s got issues,” they mean to imply that the person in question has unresolved psychological difficulties. b. a topic about which reasonable people may differ. For example, thoughtful people disagree on the best answer to the question, “Would vouchers improve education opportunities for lower-income families?” c. a problem for which there is no one objective solution. For example, “What is more delicious, pumpkin pie or apple strudel?” d. a mere dispute caused by an undetected ambiguity in the usage of a particular term.

9. 7. Identify the inferential assumption in the following argument: “The cat must be hungry. He’s scratching at the door.” a. The cat is always hungry. b. When the cat scratches at the door, he is hungry. c. Cats should not be allowed to scratch at the door. d. Someone should feed the cat.

10. 8. What class of issue is represented by the following passage? “Is capital punishment consistent with ‘civilized’ society?” a. Factual issue b. Evaluative Issue c. Interpretive Issue d. Merely Verbal Dispute

11. 9. In a recent case before a Pennsylvania Court, the plaintiff and ex-boyfriend of a 22-year-old woman attempted to prevent her from having an abortion. Sylvia Law, a professor of law at New York University, made the following comments on the case: “The law on the question of fathers’ or husbands’ capability to veto a woman’a ability to have an abortion has always been that it’s completely unconstitutional.” She concludes by noticing that the case was “straightforward” and should have been rejected out of hand. What inferential assumption does Professor Law make? (source: New York Times, 8/6/02) a. Regardless of what the Constitution says on the matter, an ex-boyfriend does not have the legal standing to prevent a woman from having an abortion. b. There are no constitutional grounds for courts to veto a woman’s ability to have an abortion. c. If it is unconstitutional to allow fathers or husbands to veto a woman’s ability to have an abortion, then it cetainly is unconstitutional to allow an ex-boyfriend to veto a woman’s ability to have an abortion. d. none of the above

12. 10. Identify the presupposition in the following claim: “Our economy won’t recover until at least a majority of the corrupt corporate executives are made to pay for their fraudulent treatment of investors and employees.” a. The economy cannot flourish if there are any corporate executives who get away with fraudulent treatment of investors and employees. b. In American society, corporate executives are never held responsible for their actions. c. There are presently a number of corrupt corporate executives who have not been made to pay for their fraudulent treatment of investors and employees. d. If all of the corrupt corporate executives are brought to justice, then the economy will definitely recover.

13. 11. Recently, the government of Japan instituted a registry under which every citizen would be asigned an 11-digit number. This number would serve as a citizen’s identification for purposes of Internet access and other services. In response to this registry one citizen objected, “Privacy should take priority over efficiency.” What presuppostition is required to understand the citizen’s claim? a. Though the registry may be efficient, it likely compromises privacy. b. The registry will not be efficient if it cannot secure citizens’ privacy. c. Privacy is more important than any other value. d. It is impossible to protect privacy with such a registry.

14. Subsidiary Issues Identify at least three subsidiary issues you see arising out of each issue given

15. Issues 12. Should animals be used in medical experimentation? 13. Should the medical use of marijuana be legal? 14. Should a student be required to check their university email account every school day? 15. Is the Bowl Championship Series the best way to determine the annual national collegiate football champion? 16. What is the average temperature of The Hill Country? 17. Should grade reports be sent to parents of university students?

16. Definitions Supply definitions to the following terms

17. Terms 18. Relativism 19. Subjectivism 20. Truth 21. Evaluative issue 22. Interpretive issue 23. Claim 24. Assumption 25. Critical thinking