Short Note

Key Points
University Exams
Practice Questions

Short Note
Key Points
University Exams
Practice Questions

Short Note
Key Points
University Exams
Practice Questions
Short Note
Key Points
University Exams
Practice Questions

Short Note
Key Points
University Exams
Practice Questions
Chapter One: LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING
INTRODUCING PHILOSOPHY
Logic
As a field of study: it is a branch of philosophy that deals with the study of
arguments and the principles and methods of right reasoning
As an instrument: it is something, which we can use to formulate our own
rational arguments and critically evaluate the soundness of other’ arguments
Philosophy
It Is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as
existence, knowledge, truth
a rational and critical enterprise that tries to answer fundamental questions
through an intensive application of reason - an application that draws on analysis,
comparison, and evaluation
It involves reason, rational criticism, examination, and analysis
Lesson 1: Meaning and Nature of Philosophy
philosophy etymologically - "love of wisdom"
as a pursuit of wisdom, philosophy refers to
the development of critical habits, the continuous search for truth, and the
questioning of the apparent
Giving a clear-cut definition of philosophy is difficult. because philosophy has no a
specific subject matter to primarily deal with
Philosophy deals primarily with issues. issues, which are universal in nature
Philosophy is not as elusive nor is it remote from our various problems
the best way to learn and understand philosophy is to philosophize; i.e.
to be confronted with philosophical question
to use philosophical language
to become acquainted with differing philosophical positions and manoeuvres
to read the philosophers themselves, and to grapple with the issues for oneself
Socrates once stated: “Wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy
begins in wonder”
We all have touched and moved by the feelings of wonder from which all philosophy
derives. We all participate, more or less, in philosophical issues
thinking alone cannot make us philosophers
Etymologically
the word "philosophy" comes from two Greek words
 philo - love
sophia – wisdom
Literal definition of philosophy is “love of wisdom”
ancient Greek thinker Pythagoras was the first to use the word "philosopher" to call
a person who clearly shows a marked curiosity in the things he experiences
Not all wisdoms are philosophy
The wisdom that philosophers seek is not the wisdom of the expertise or technical
skills of professionals
According to Socrates, wisdom consists of a critical habit and eternal vigilance about
all things and a reverence for truth, whatever its form, and wherever its place
Based on Socratic understanding of wisdom, philosophy, as a pursuit of wisdom, is
development of critical habits
continuous search for truth
questioning of the apparent
To interrogate the obvious means to deal creatively with the phenomenal world, to
go beyond the common understanding, and to speculate about things that other
people accept with no doubt
Questioning/criticism is not the final end of philosophy, though
raising the right question is often taken not only as the beginning and direction
of philosophy but also as its essence
Raising the right question is an art that includes the ability to foresee what is
not readily obvious and to imagine different possibilities and alternatives of
approaching the apparent
The philosophical enterprise, as Vincent Barry stated, is “an active imaginative
process of formulating proper questions and resolving them by rigorous, persistent
analysis”
Philosophy has
Constructive side: it attempts to formulate rationally defensible answers to
certain fundamental questions concerning the nature of reality, the nature of
value, and the nature of knowledge and truth
Critical side: it deals with giving a rational critic, analysis, clarification, and
evaluation of answers given to basic metaphysical, epistemological, and
axiological questions
Philosophy is an activity
It is not something that can be easily mastered or learned in schools
A philosopher is a great philosopher, not because he mastered philosophy, but
because he did it - philosophy
 to philosophize is - extraordinary ability to critically think, to conceptualize, to
analyze, to compare, to evaluate, and to understand
The product of philosophizing is philosophy as a product
However, what makes someone a great philosopher is not the produced
philosophy, but his/her outstanding ability to philosophize
 Key Points on Lesson 1: Meaning and Nature of Philosophy
Logic
As a field of study: branch of philosophy; study of arguments and the principles
and methods of right reasoning
As an instrument: something we can use to formulate our own rational
arguments and critically evaluate the soundness of other’ arguments
Philosophy
A rational and critical enterprise that tries to answer fundamental questions
through an intensive application of reason - an application that draws on analysis,
comparison, and evaluation
Lesson 1: Meaning and Nature of Philosophy
Etymologically, the word "philosophy" comes from two Greek words, philo - love
and sophia – wisdom
Literal definition of philosophy is “love of wisdom”
Philosophy deals primarily with issues. issues, which are universal in nature
the best way to learn and understand philosophy is to philosophize
Not all wisdoms are philosophy. wisdom that philosophers seek is not the wisdom
of the expertise or technical skills of professionals
To interrogate the obvious means to deal creatively with the phenomenal world, to
go beyond the common understanding, and to speculate about things that other
people accept with no doubt
raising the right question is often taken not only as the beginning and direction of
philosophy but also as its essence
Philosophy has
Constructive side: it attempts to formulate rationally defensible answers to
certain fundamental questions concerning the nature of reality, the nature of
value, and the nature of knowledge and truth
Critical side: it deals with giving a rational critic, analysis, clarification, and
evaluation of answers given to basic metaphysical, epistemological, and
axiological questions
Philosophy is an activity
to philosophize is - extraordinary ability to critically think, to conceptualize, to
analyze, to compare, to evaluate, and to understand
What makes someone a great philosopher is not the produced philosophy, but
his/her outstanding ability to philosophize
E

University Exams
Lesson 1: Meaning and Nature of Philosophy

Instruction: True/False
1. Learning philosophy lead students to become critical and rational thinker
Answer: True
Explanation: learning philosophy often leads students to become critical and rational
thinkers. Philosophy encourages the questioning of the apparent, fostering an
environment of inquiry and analysis.
Module Reference:
✓ It is a rational and critical enterprise that tries to answer fundamental
questions through an intensive application of reason an application that draws
on analysis, comparison, and evaluation – Module Page 11 Line 11
✓ Thus, as a pursuit of wisdom, philosophy refers to the development of critical
habits, the continuous search for truth, and the questioning of the apparent -
Module Page 12 Line 1
Dire Dawa University

2. Philosophical questions are specific and merely a question of facts

Answer: False
Explanation: Philosophical questions are not specific and merely a question of facts,
but rather general and fundamental questions that concern matters such as
existence, knowledge, truth, value, and meaning
Module Reference:
✓ Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning
matters such as existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, law, justice, validity, mind,
and language - Module Page 11 Line 10
Dire Dawa University

3. Mastering the content and arguments of other philosophers is a best way to be a

philosopher
Answer: False
 Explanation: Mastering the content and arguments of other philosophers is not a
sufficient way to be a philosopher, because philosophy is not something that can be
easily learned or mastered in schools
Module Reference:
✓ the best way to learn and understand philosophy is to philosophize; i.e., to be
confronted with philosophical questions, to use philosophical language, to
become acquainted with differing philosophical positions and maneuvers, to
read the philosophers themselves, and to grapple with the issues for oneself -
Module Page 12 Line 20
✓ A philosopher is a great philosopher, not because he mastered philosophy, but
because he did it. It is not his theory, but his extraordinary ability to critically
think, to conceptualize, to analyze, to compare, to evaluate, and to
understand- i.e., to philosophize- that makes him so - Module Page 14 Line 18
Dire Dawa University

4. Defining the term philosophy is very easy using conclusive terminologies

Answer: False
Explanation: Defining the term philosophy is difficult using conclusive terminologies,
because philosophy has no specific subject matter to primarily deal with. Philosophy
deals primarily with issues, which are universal in nature
Module Reference: it is important to note first that giving a clear-cut definition of
philosophy is difficult. It may be easy to define other disciplines … in terms of a
subject matter, for they have their own specific subject matters to primarily deal
with. However, it is difficult to do the same with philosophy, because philosophy has
no a specific subject matter to primarily deal with. Philosophy deals primarily with
issues. What contents philosophy has are not the specific subject matters, but
issues, which are universal in nature - Module Page 12 Line 10
Wollo University

5. Philosophy is a rational and critical enterprise that tries to formulate and answer
fundamental questions through an intensive application of reason- an application that
draws on analysis, comparison, and evaluation
Answer: True
Explanation:
Module Reference: Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems
concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, law, justice, validity,
mind, and language. It is a rational and critical enterprise that tries to answer
fundamental questions through an intensive application of reason - an application
 that draws on analysis, comparison, and evaluation. It involves reason, rational
criticism, examination, and analysis - Module Page 11 Line 9
Debre Berhan University

Instruction: Multiple Choice

6. One from the following is the etymological meaning of philosophy
A. Philosophy is the love of wisdom, knowledge and art
B. Philosophy is the mother of all other science
C. Philosophy is the science of questioning
D. Philosophy is an analytical science
Answer: A
Explanation: Etymologically philosophy literal definition is “Love of wisdom”
Module Reference: Etymologically, the word “philosophy” comes from two Greek
words: “philo” and “Sophia”, which mean “love” and “wisdom”, respectively. Thus,
the literal definition of philosophy is “love of wisdom” - Module Page 12 Line 10
Wollo University
P

Practice Questions
Lesson 1: Meaning and Nature of Philosophy

Instruction: True/False
1. Logic as a field of study is something, which we can use to formulate our own
rational arguments and critically evaluate the soundness of others‘ arguments
Answer: False
Module Reference: Logic is often treated simultaneously as a field of study and as
an instrument. As a field of study, it is a branch of philosophy that deals with the
study of arguments and the principles and methods of right reasoning – Module
Page 11 Line 4
2. Philosophy deals primarily with issues which are universal in nature
Answer: True
Module Reference: Philosophy deals primarily with issues. What contents
philosophy has are not the specific subject matters, but issues, which are universal
in nature – Module Page 12 Line 14
3. The wisdom of the expertise or technical skills of professionals is the wisdom that
philosophers seek
Answer: False
Module Reference: Not all wisdoms are philosophy. The wisdom that philosophers
seek is not the wisdom of the expertise or technical skills of professionals – Module
Page 13 Line 14
4. Philosophy’s constructive side is it attempts to formulate rationally defensible
answers to certain fundamental questions concerning the nature of reality, the nature
of value, and the nature of knowledge and truth
Answer: True
Module Reference: Accordingly, we can say that Philosophy has a constructive side,
for it attempts to formulate rationally defensible answers to certain fundamental
questions concerning the nature of reality, the nature of value, and the nature of
knowledge and truth. At the same time, its critical side is manifested when it deals
with giving a rational critic, analysis, clarification, and evaluation of answers given to
basic metaphysical, epistemological, and axiological questions – Module Page 14
Line 12
Instruction: Multiple Choice
5. Which one of the following is correct about philosophy
A. Philosophy is elusive
B. Philosophy is not remote from our various problems
C. Philosophy is incomprehensible
D. All
Answer: B
Explanation:
Module Reference:
✓ What contents philosophy has are not the specific subject matters, but issues,
which are universal in nature. However, this should not lead us into thinking that
philosophy is incomprehensible - Module Page 12 Line 16
✓ Philosophy is not as elusive as it is often thought to be. Nor is it remote from our
various problems - Module Page 12 Line 19
Instruction: Short Answer
6. ___ can be referred to as “to be confronted with philosophical questions, to use
philosophical language, to become acquainted with differing philosophical positions
and maneuvers, to read the philosophers themselves, and to grapple with the issues
for oneself”
Answer: Philosophize
Module Reference: – Module Page 12 Line 4
7. Etymologically, the word “philosophy” comes from two Greek words: ___ and ___
Answer: Philosophize
Module Reference: Etymologically, the word “philosophy” comes from two Greek
words: “Philo” and “Sophia”, which mean “love” and “wisdom”, respectively –
Module Page 13 Line 5
8. ___ is the literal definition of philosophy
Answer: “love of wisdom”
Module Reference: – Module Page 13 Line 6
9. Explain the difference between constructive side of philosophy and critical side of
philosophy.
Answer:
 ✓ The constructive side attempts to formulate rationally defensible answers to
certain fundamental questions concerning the nature of reality, the nature of
value, and the nature of knowledge and truth
✓ The critical side it deals with giving a rational critic, analysis, clarification, and
evaluation of answers given to basic metaphysical, epistemological, and
axiological questions
Module Reference: – Module Page 14 Line
10. According to Greek thinker Pythagoras a person who clearly shows a marked
curiosity in the things he experiences is called?
Answer: philosopher
Module Reference: The ancient Greek thinker Pythagoras was the first to use the
word “philosopher” to call a person who clearly shows a marked curiosity in the
things he experiences – Module Page 13 Line 7
Lesson 2: Basic Features of Philosophy
philosophy has its own salient features that distinguishes it from other academic
disciplines
1. Philosophy is a set of views or beliefs about life and the universe, which are often
held uncritically
It is informal sense of philosophy or
“Having a philosophy”
referring to an informal personal attitude
2. Philosophy is a process of reflecting on and criticizing our most deeply held
conceptions and belief
It is formal sense of philosophy or
“Doing philosophy”
Note: two senses of philosophy “having” and “Doing”
cannot be treated entirely independent of each other
if we did not have a philosophy in the formal, personal sense, then we
could not do a philosophy in the critical, reflective sense
BUT having a philosophy is not sufficient for doing philosophy
A genuine philosophical attitude is
searching and critical
open-minded and tolerant
willing to look at all sides of an issue without prejudice
To philosophize is not merely to read and know philosophy
To philosophize also means to generalize
Philosophers are reflective and critical, They take a second look at the material
presented by common sense
accumulation of knowledge does not by itself lead to understanding, because it
does not necessarily teach the mind to make a critical evaluation of facts that
entail consistent and coherent judgment
Philosophers, theologians, scientists, and others disagree, because
they view things from different points of view and with different assumptions
they live in a changing universe
Some people are responsive and sensitive to change; others cling to tradition
and the status quo
they deal with an area of human experience in which the evidence is not
complete
 Despite these disagreements, however, philosophers continue to probe, examine,
and evaluate the material with the hope of presenting consistent principles by which
we can live
3. Philosophy is a rational attempt to look at the world as a whole
Philosophy seeks to combine the conclusions of the various sciences and human
experience into some kind of consistent worldview
Although there are difficulties and dangers in setting forth any worldview, there also
are dangers in confining attention to fragments of human experience
Philosophy attempts to bring the results of human inquiry into some meaningful
interpretation that provides knowledge and insight for our lives
4. Philosophy is the logical analysis of language and the clarification of the meaning
of words and concepts
all philosophers have used methods of analysis and have sought to clarify the
meaning of terms and the use of language
Some philosophers see this as the main task of philosophy, and a few claims this is
the only legitimate function of philosophy
consider philosophy a specialized field serving the sciences and aiding in the
clarification of language
This outlook has gain support during the twentieth century
Not all linguistic analysts, however, define knowledge so narrowly
many of them think that we can have knowledge of ethical principles and the
like, although this knowledge is also experientially derived
From this narrower point of view, the aim of philosophy is to expose confusion and
nonsense and to clarify the meaning and use of terms in science and everyday
affairs
5. Philosophy is a group of perennial problems that interest people and for which
philosophers always have sought answers
Philosophy presses its inquiry into the deepest problems of human existence
The following some questions are all philosophical or have philosophical importance
What is “truth?” and What is the distinction between right and wrong?
fundamental life issues: What is life and why am I here? Why is there anything at
all?
Is there really a fundamental distinction between right and wrong, or is it just a
matter of one’s own opinions? What is beauty?
Where does knowledge come from, and can we have any assurances that
anything is true?
 Is there a possibility of a life after death?
The attempt to seek answers or solutions to them has given rise to theories and
systems of thought, such as idealism, realism, pragmatism, analytic philosophy,
existentialism, phenomenology, process philosophy
Philosophy also means the various theories or systems of thought developed by the
great philosophers
Without these people and their thoughts, philosophy would not have the rich
content it has today
we are constantly influenced by ideas that have come down to us in the
traditions of society
 Key Points on Lesson 2: Basic Features of Philosophy
1. Philosophy is a set of views or beliefs about life and the universe, which are often
held uncritically
It is informal sense of philosophy or
“Having a philosophy” (an informal personal attitude)
2. Philosophy is a process of reflecting on and criticizing our most deeply held
conceptions and belief
It is formal sense of philosophy or
“Doing philosophy”
Two senses of philosophy “having” and “Doing” cannot be treated entirely
independent of each other
Having a philosophy is not sufficient for doing philosophy
Philosophers, theologians, scientists, and others disagree, because
they view things from different points of view and with different assumptions
they live in a changing universe
they deal with an area of human experience in which the evidence is not
complete
3. Philosophy is a rational attempt to look at the world as a whole
Philosophy seeks to combine the conclusions of the various sciences and human
experience into some kind of consistent worldview
4. Philosophy is the logical analysis of language and the clarification of the meaning
of words and concepts
Some philosophers see this as the main task of philosophy, and a few claims this is
the only legitimate function of philosophy
consider philosophy a specialized field serving the sciences and aiding in the
clarification of language
5. Philosophy is a group of perennial problems that interest people and for which
philosophers always have sought answers
Philosophy presses its inquiry into the deepest problems of human existence
The attempt to seek answers or solutions to them has given rise to theories and
systems of thought
Philosophy also means the various theories or systems of thought developed by
the great philosophers
E

University Exams
Lesson 2: Basic Features of Philosophy

Instruction: Multiple Choice

1. Which one of the following is wrong concerning the basic features of philosophy
A. Philosophy is a set of views or beliefs about life and the universe, which are often
held uncritically
B. Philosophy is the process of reflecting and criticizing our most deeply held
conceptions and beliefs
C. Philosophy is an irrational attempt to look at the world as a whole
D. Philosophy is the logical analysis of language and the clarification of the meaning of
words and concepts
Answer: C
Explanation: Philosophy is not an irrational attempt, but a rational and critical
enterprise that tries to formulate and answer fundamental questions through an
intensive application of reason
Module Reference: philosophy is a rational and critical enterprise that tries to
formulate and answer fundamental questions through an intensive application of
reason- an application that draws on analysis, comparison, and evaluation - Module
Page 14 Line
Debre Berhan University
P

Practice Questions
Lesson 2: Basic Features of Philosophy

Instruction: True/False
1. Philosophy is a set of views or beliefs about life and the universe, which are often
held uncritically. This is formal sense of “doing” philosophy
Answer: False
Module Reference: Philosophy is a set of views or beliefs about life and the universe,
which are often held uncritically. We refer to this meaning as the informal sense of
philosophy or “having” a philosophy – Module Page 15 Line 14
2. If we did not have a philosophy in the formal, personal sense, then we could not do
a philosophy in the critical, reflective sense.
Answer: True
Module Reference: Module Page 15 Line 22
3. A genuine philosophical attitude look at all sides of an issue with prejudice
Answer: False
Explanation: A genuine philosophical attitude does not look with prejudice. Rather it
is open-minded willing to look at all sides of an issue without prejudice
Module Reference: A genuine philosophical attitude is searching and critical; it is
open-minded and tolerant- willing to look at all sides of an issue without prejudice -
Module Page 16 Line 1
4. Philosophy seeks to combine the conclusions of the various sciences and human
experience into some kind of consistent worldview
Answer: True
Module Reference: Philosophy is a rational attempt to look at the world as a whole.
Philosophy seeks to combine the conclusions of the various sciences and human
experience into some kind of consistent worldview - Module Page 16 Line 21
5. Regarding clarification of the meaning of terms and the use of language, From
narrower point of view, the aim of philosophy is to expose confusion and nonsense and
to clarify the meaning and use of terms in science and everyday affairs
Answer: True
 Module Reference: Those who take the narrower view neglect, when they do not
deny, all generalized worldviews and life views, as well as traditional moral
philosophy and theology. From this narrower point of view, the aim of philosophy is
to expose confusion and nonsense and to clarify the meaning and use of terms in
science and everyday affairs - Module Page 17 Line 15
6. Philosophy presses its inquiry into merely a question of fact
Answer: False
Module Reference: Philosophy presses its inquiry into the deepest problems of
human existence … what are philosophical questions? The question “Did Ram make
a false statement on his income tax return?” is merely a question of fact. However,
the questions “What is truth?” and “What is the distinction between right and
wrong?” have philosophical importance - Module Page 17 Line 21
7. Philosophy also means the various theories or systems of thought developed by the
great philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato
Answer: True
Module Reference: Philosophy also means the various theories or systems of thought
developed by the great philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle ... Without
these people and their thoughts, philosophy would not have the rich content it has
today - Module Page 18 Line 15
Instruction: Short Answer
8. What are the two senses of philosophy
Answer:
✓ “having” philosophy
✓ “doing” philosophy
Module Reference: These two senses of philosophy – “having” and “doing” - cannot
be treated entirely independent of each other – Module Page 15 Line 23
9. List the three main reasons philosophers, theologians, scientists, and others disagree
Answer: They disagree because
✓ they view things from different points of view and with different assumptions
✓ they live in a changing universe
✓ they deal with an area of human experience in which the evidence is not
complete
Module Reference: Philosophers, theologians, scientists, and others disagree, first
because they view things from different points of view and with different
assumptions … A second reason philosophers disagree is that they live in a changing
 universe … A third reason philosophers disagree is that they deal with an area of
human experience in which the evidence is not complete – Module Page 16 Line 10
10. List five general features of philosophy
Answer:
✓ Philosophy is a set of views or beliefs about life and the universe, which are often
held uncritically
✓ Philosophy is a process of reflecting on and criticizing our most deeply held
conceptions and beliefs
✓ Philosophy is a rational attempt to look at the world as a whole
✓ Philosophy is the logical analysis of language and the clarification of the meaning
of words and concepts
✓ Philosophy is a group of perennial problems that interest people and for which
philosophers always have sought answers
Module Reference: – Module Page 15 - 18
Core Fields of Philosophy
Lesson 3: Metaphysics and Epistemology
Metaphysics
The term metaphysics is derived from the Greek words
“meta” means (“beyond”, “upon” or “after”) and
“Physika” means (“physics”)
Literally, it refers “those things after the physics”
studies the ultimate nature of reality or existence
deal with issues of
reality, God, freedom, soul/immortality, the mind-body problem, form and
substance relationship, cause and effect relationship, and other related issues
some of the questions that Metaphysics primarily deals with:
What is reality? What is the ultimately real?
Can reality be grasped by the senses, or it is transcendent?
What is mind, and what is its relation to the body?
Is there a cause-and-effect relationship between reality and appearance?
Does God exist, and if so, can we prove it?
What is time? What is the meaning of life?
It is evident that the question of reality is not as simplistic as it appears
Metaphysical questions are the most basic to ask because they provide the
foundation upon which all subsequent inquiry is based
Metaphysicians seek an irreducible foundation of reality or “first principles” from
which absolute knowledge or truth can be induced and deduced
Historically: Aristotle’s writings on “first philosophy” came after his treatise on
physics, therefore, Aristotle’s editor, Andronicus of Rhodes, named them
metaphysics
Metaphysical questions may be divided into four subsets or aspects
Cosmological Aspect
study of theories about the origin, nature, and development of the universe as
an orderly system
Question like: How did the universe originate and develop? Did it come about by
accident or design?
Theological Aspect
Theology is that part of religious theory that deals with conceptions of and
about God
Question like: Is there a God? If so, is there one or more than one? What are the
attributes of God?
 Anthropological Aspect
Anthropology deals with the study of human beings
Question like: What is the relation between mind and body? What is humanity’s
moral status?
Ontological Aspect
the study of the nature of existence, or what it means for anything to exist
Question like: Is basic reality found in matter or physical energy (the world we
can sense)? Is it fixed and stable?
Epistemology
derived from the Greek words
Episteme, meaning “knowledge, understanding”, and
Logos, meaning “study of”
studies about the nature, scope, meaning, and possibility of knowledge
deals with issues of knowledge, opinion, truth, falsity, reason, experience, and faith
referred to as “theory of knowledge”
epistemology covers two areas: the content of thought and thought itself
questions/issues with which Epistemology deals:
What is knowledge? What does it mean to know? What are the sources
What is truth, and how can we know a statement is true?
What is the relationship and difference between faith and reason?
Epistemology seeks answers to a number of fundamental issues. One is whether
reality can even be known?
Skepticism: the position claiming that people cannot acquire reliable knowledge
and that any search for truth is in vain
expressed by Gorgias: asserted that nothing exists, and that if it did, we could
not know it
Agnosticism: profession of ignorance in reference to the existence or nonexistence
of God
other issues foundational to epistemology
whether all truth is relative, or whether some truths are absolute
the questions of whether knowledge is subjective or objective, and whether
there is truth that is independent of human experience
Sources of human knowledge
1. Empiricism
knowledge obtained through the senses
appears to be built into the very nature of human experience
 Sensory knowing for humans is immediate and universal, and in many ways forms
the basis of much of human knowledge
The existence of sensory data cannot be denied. Most people accept it uncritically
as representing “reality”
danger of naively embracing this approach is that data obtained from the human
senses have been demonstrated to be both incomplete and undependable
Example: seeing a stick that looks bent when partially submerged in water
Fatigue, frustration, and illness also distort and limit sensory perception
advantage of empirical knowledge is that many sensory experiences and
experiments are open to both replication and public examination
2. Rationalism
view that reasoning, thought, or logic is the central factor in knowledge
emphasizing humanity’s power of thought and the mind’s contributions to
knowledge
claim that the senses alone cannot provide universal, valid judgments that are
consistent with one another
Rationalism in a less extreme form: people have the power to know with certainty
various truths about the universe that the senses alone cannot give
Rationalism in its extreme form: humans are capable of arriving at irrefutable
knowledge independently of sensory experience
Formal logic is a tool used by rationalists
advantage of possessing internal consistency
risk being disconnected from the external world
Systems of thought based upon logic are only as valid as the premises upon which
they are built
3. Intuition
direct apprehension of knowledge that is not derived from conscious reasoning or
immediate sense perception
“Immediate feeling of certainty”
Occurs beneath the threshold of consciousness and is often experienced as a
sudden flash of insight
The weakness or danger of intuition
it does not appear to be a safe method of obtaining knowledge when used alone
It goes astray very easily and may lead to absurd claims unless it is controlled by
or checked against other methods
distinct advantage of being able to bypass the limitations of human experience
4. Revelation
differs from all other sources of knowledge because It presupposes a transcendent
supernatural reality that breaks into the natural order
has been of prime importance in the field of religion
Believers hold that this form of knowledge has the distinct advantage of Being an
omniscient source of information that is not available through other epistemological
methods
disadvantage of revealed knowledge is that It must be accepted by faith and cannot
be proved or disproved empirically
5. Authority (it is not a philosophical position)
knowledge is accepted as true because it comes from experts or has been sanctified
over time as tradition
it has both advantage and disadvantage
Civilization would certainly stagnate if people refused to accept any statement
unless they personally verified it through direct, first-hand experience
if authoritative knowledge is built upon a foundation of incorrect assumptions,
then such knowledge will surely be distorted
Note
one source of information alone might not be capable of supplying people with all
knowledge
It might be important to see the various sources as complementary rather than
antagonistic
most people choose one source as being more basic than, or preferable to: use it as
a benchmark for testing other sources
in the contemporary world, knowledge obtained empirically is generally seen as the
most basic and reliable type
 Key Points on Lesson 3: Metaphysics and Epistemology
Metaphysics
The term metaphysics is derived from the Greek words “meta” means (“beyond”,
“upon” or “after”) and “Physika” means (“physics”)
Literally, it refers “those things after the physics”
studies the ultimate nature of reality or existence
deal with issues of reality, God, freedom, soul/immortality, the mind-body problem,
form and substance relationship, cause and effect relationship
Metaphysicians seek an irreducible foundation of reality or “first principles” from
which absolute knowledge or truth can be induced and deduced
Metaphysical questions may be divided into four subsets or aspects
Cosmological Aspect
study of theories about the origin, nature, and development of the universe as
an orderly system
Theological Aspect
Theology is that part of religious theory that deals with conceptions of and
about God
Anthropological Aspect
Anthropology deals with the study of human beings
Ontological Aspect
the study of the nature of existence, or what it means for anything to exist
Epistemology
derived from the Greek words Episteme, meaning “knowledge, understanding”, and
Logos, meaning “study of”
“theory of knowledge” – study nature, scope, meaning, & possibility of knowledge
deals with issues of knowledge, opinion, truth, falsity, reason, experience, and faith
Epistemology seeks answers to whether reality can even be known?
Skepticism: the position claiming that people cannot acquire reliable knowledge
and that any search for truth is in vain
Agnosticism: profession of ignorance in reference to the existence or nonexistence
of God

Sources of human knowledge

1. Empiricism
knowledge obtained through the senses
 Sensory knowing for humans is immediate and universal
The existence of sensory data cannot be denied
danger of naively embracing this approach is that data obtained from the human
senses have been demonstrated to be both incomplete and undependable
advantage of empirical knowledge is that many sensory experiences and
experiments are open to both replication and public examination
2. Reason/Rationalism
view that reasoning, thought, or logic is the central factor in knowledge
Rationalism in a less extreme form: people have the power to know with certainty
various truths about the universe that the senses alone cannot give
Rationalism in its extreme form: humans are capable of arriving at irrefutable
knowledge independently of sensory experience
Formal logic is a tool used by rationalists
advantage of possessing internal consistency
risk being disconnected from the external world
Systems of thought based upon logic are only as valid as the premises upon which
they are built
3. Intuition
direct apprehension of knowledge that is not derived from conscious reasoning or
immediate sense perception - “Immediate feeling of certainty”
The weakness or danger of intuition
It goes astray very easily and may lead to absurd claims
distinct advantage of being able to bypass the limitations of human experience
4. Revelation
Presupposes a transcendent supernatural reality that breaks into the natural order
Distinct advantage - being an omniscient source of information that is not available
through other epistemological methods
disadvantage - It must be accepted by faith and cannot be proved or disproved
empirically
5. Authority (it is not a philosophical position)
knowledge is accepted as true because it comes from experts or has been sanctified
over time as tradition
E

University Exams
Lesson 3: Metaphysics and Epistemology

Instruction: True/False
1. Rationalism is a theory or epistemology argues that sense-observation is the source
of knowledge
Answer: False
Explanation: Rationalism is not a theory that argues that sense-observation is the
source of knowledge, but rather that reason is the source of knowledge
Module Reference:
✓ Rationalism in a less extreme form claims that people have the power to know
with certainty various truths about the universe that the senses alone cannot
give – Module Page 24 Line 25
✓ A second important source of human knowledge is reason. The view that
reasoning, thought, or logic is the central factor in knowledge is known as
rationalism - Module Page 24 Line 20
Dire Dawa University

2. Metaphysics is the study of the nature, source and scope of knowledge

Answer: False
Explanation: Metaphysics studies the ultimate nature of reality or existence. It
doesn’t study nature, source and scope of knowledge. The one that studies nature,
source and scope of knowledge is called Epistemology.
Module Reference:
✓ Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that studies the ultimate nature of
reality or existence – Module Page 20 Line 5
✓ Epistemology is the other field of philosophy that studies about the nature,
scope, meaning, and possibility of knowledge - Module Page 22 Line 14
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3. Ontology is the study of the nature of existence, or what it means for anything to
exist
Answer: True
 Explanation: Among metaphysical questions Ontology is the study of the nature of
existence
Module Reference:
✓ Ontology is the study of the nature of existence, or what it means for anything
to exist – Module Page 22 Line 3
Wollo University

4. Theology is part of religious theory that deals with conceptions of human being
Answer: False
Explanation: Theology does not deal with conceptions of human being. Theology
deals with the conceptions of and about God. The metaphysical question that deals
with conceptions of human being is called Anthropological Aspect.
Module Reference:
✓ Theology is that part of religious theory that deals with conceptions of and
about God – Module Page 21 Line 19
✓ Anthropology deals with the study of human beings - Module Page 21 Line 23
Debre Berhan University

5. Anthropology part of religious theory that deals with conceptions and existence of
God
Answer: False
Explanation: Anthropology is a metaphysical question that deals with conceptions of
human being. Part of religious theory that deals with conceptions and existence of
God is called Theology.
Module Reference:
✓ Anthropology deals with the study of human beings - Module Page 21 Line 23
✓ Theology is that part of religious theory that deals with conceptions of and
about God – Module Page 21 Line 19
Debre Berhan University

6. Ontology is the study of the nature of existence, or what it means for anything to
exist
Answer: True
Explanation:
Module Reference:
✓ Ontology is the study of the nature of existence, or what it means for anything
to exist – Module Page 22 Line 3
 Debre Berhan University

7. The field of philosophy that studies about the nature, scope, meaning, and
possibility of knowledge is called epistemology
Answer: True
Explanation:
Module Reference:
✓ Epistemology is the other field of philosophy that studies about the nature,
scope, meaning, and possibility of knowledge - Module Page 22 Line 14
Debre Berhan University

8. From the empiricism perspective, the sensations and experiences that humans
obtain through their senses are the raw material of knowledge
Answer: False
Explanation: According to empiricism perspective sensations and experiences that
humans obtain through their senses are knowledge by themselves not only raw
material of knowledge. The perspective that claims the sensations and experiences
that humans obtain through their senses as the raw material of knowledge is called
rationalism. Rationalism claims that These sensations must be organized by the
mind into a meaningful system before they become knowledge.
Module Reference:
✓ empiricism (knowledge obtained through the senses). Empirical knowledge
appears to be built into the very nature of human experience - Module Page
23 Line 27
✓ The rationalist, in emphasizing humanity‘s power of thought and the mind‘s
contributions to knowledge, is likely to claim that the senses alone cannot
provide universal, valid judgments that are consistent with one another. From
this perspective, the sensations and experiences humans obtain through their
senses are the raw material of knowledge. These sensations must be organized
by the mind into a meaningful system before they become knowledge –
Module Page 24 Line 21
Debre Berhan University

9. Revelation is the direct apprehension of knowledge that is not derived from

conscious/reasoning or immediate sense perception
Answer: False
 Explanation: It is not revelation but intuition which is the direct apprehension of
knowledge that is not derived from conscious/reasoning or immediate sense
perception.
Module Reference:
✓ A third source of human knowledge is intuition- the direct apprehension of
knowledge that is not derived from conscious reasoning or immediate sense
perception - Module Page 25 Line 4
✓ A fourth influential source of knowledge throughout the span of human
history has been revelation. Revealed knowledge has been of prime
importance in the field of religion. It differs from all other sources of
knowledge because it presupposes a transcendent supernatural reality that
breaks into the natural order - Module Page 25 Line 15
Debre Berhan University

10. Intuition does not appear to be a safe method of obtaining knowledge when used
alone
Answer: True
Explanation: It is correct that intuition does not appear to be a safe method of
obtaining knowledge when used alone because It goes astray very easily and may
lead to absurd claims unless it is controlled by or checked against other methods of
knowing
Module Reference:
✓ The weakness or danger of intuition is that it does not appear to be a safe
method of obtaining knowledge when used alone - Module Page 25 Line 10
Debre Berhan University

11. Authoritative knowledge is accepted as true because it comes from experts or has
been sanctified over time as tradition
Answer: True
Explanation:
Module Reference:
✓ Authoritative knowledge is accepted as true because it comes from experts or
has been sanctified over time as tradition - Module Page 25 Line 27
Debre Berhan University

Instruction: Multiple Choice

12. Which one of the following is odd from the following alternatives?
A. Revelation
B. Ontology
C. Theology
D. Cosmology
Answer: A
Explanation: Ontology, Theology and Cosmology are Metaphysical questions but
revelation is not metaphysical question. Revelation is a source of knowledge.
Module Reference:
✓ Metaphysical questions may be divided into four subsets or aspects. i)
Cosmological Aspect … ii) Theological Aspect … iii) Anthropological Aspect … iv)
Ontological Aspect – Module Page 21 Line 13
✓ A fourth influential source of knowledge throughout the span of human
history has been revelation - Module Page 25 Line 15
Dire Dawa University

13. ___ is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as
existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, law, justice, validity, mind, and language
A. Philosophy
B. Metaphysics
C. Epistemology
D. Aesthetics
Answer: A
Explanation: Philosophy studies the above mentioned general and fundamental
problems. Metaphysics and Epistemology are core fields of philosophy that study
some of the above mentioned problems. Metaphysics focus on the study of the
ultimate nature of reality or existence. On the other hand Epistemology studies
about the nature, scope, meaning, and possibility of knowledge. Aesthetics is part of
Axiology that studies about the particular value of our artistic and aesthetic
experiences
Module Reference:
✓ Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning
matters such as existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, law, justice, validity, mind,
and language - Module Page 11 Line 10
 Debre Berhan University

14. ___ is the branch of philosophy that studies the ultimate nature of reality or
existence
A. Epistemology
B. Metaphysics
C. Ethics
D. Logic
Answer: B
Explanation:
Module Reference:
✓ Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that studies the ultimate nature of
reality or existence – Module Page 20 Line 5
Debre Berhan University

15. Which one of the following is the theory of metaphysics theories that studies about
the origin, nature, and development of the universe as an orderly system?
A. Cosmology
B. Theology
C. Anthropology
D. Ontology
Answer: A
Explanation: The correct answer is cosmology because it studies about the origin,
nature, and development of the universe. However, theology deals with conceptions
of and about God, anthropology deals with the study of human beings and Ontology
study of the nature of existence.
Module Reference:
✓ Cosmology consists in the study of theories about the origin, nature, and
development of the universe as an orderly system - Module Page 21 Line 14
Debre Berhan University

16. All of the following are the questions and issues with which epistemology except
A. What is knowledge?
B. What does it mean to exist?
C. What is the source of knowledge? Experience?
D. How can we be sure that what we perceive through our senses is correct?
Answer: B
Explanation: choice B is incorrect because epistemology does not concern about the
study of existence or what does it mean to exist. Ontology which is branch of
metaphysics that studies the nature of existence, or what it means for anything to
exist
Module Reference:
✓ The following are among the questions/issues with which Epistemology deals:
What is knowledge? What does it mean to know? What is the source of
knowledge? Experience? Reason? Or both? How can we be sure that what we
perceive through our senses is correct? - Module Page 22 Line 24
✓ Ontology is the study of the nature of existence, or what it means for anything
to exist – Module Page 22 Line 3
Debre Berhan University

17. Which one of the following is the source of knowledge that advocate the ultimate
source of knowledge is God
A. Revelation
B. Empiricism
C. Reason
D. Intuition
Answer: A
Explanation:
Module Reference:
✓ Christians believe that such revelation is God‘s communication concerning the
divine will. Believers in supernatural revelation hold that this form of
knowledge has the distinct advantage of being an omniscient source of
information that is not available through other epistemological methods. The
truth revealed through this source is believed by Christians to be absolute and
uncontaminated - Module Page 25 Line 15
Debre Berhan University

Instruction: Matching
Column A
18. The study of nature and purpose of God
Answer: D
Module Reference: Theological Aspect: Theology is that part of religious theory that
deals with conceptions of and about God - Module Page 21 Line 19
19. Theory of Values
Answer: I
Module Reference: Axiology is the study or theory of value - Module Page 27 Line 5
20. Deals about mind-body problem
Answer: B
Module Reference: Anthropology deals with the study of human beings and asks
questions like the following: What is the relation between mind and body? - Module
Page 27 Line 23
21. The study about nature, scope and meaning knowledge
Answer: H
Module Reference: Epistemology is the other field of philosophy that studies about
the nature, scope, meaning, and possibility of knowledge - Module Page 22 Line 14
22. A science of correct reasoning
Answer: G
Module Reference: Logic in its broader meaning is the science, which evaluates
arguments and the study of correct reasoning. It could be also defined as the study
of methods and principles of correct reasoning or the art of correct reasoning –
Module Page 40 Line 1
23. Sense experience is the source of knowledge
Answer: A
Module Reference: empiricism (knowledge obtained through the senses). Empirical
knowledge appears to be built into the very nature of human experience - Module
Page 23 Line 27
24. The study of the nature of existence
Answer: C
Module Reference: Ontology is the study of the nature of existence, or what it
means for anything to exist - Module Page 22 Line 4
25. The study of origin, nature, and development of the universe
 Answer: F
Module Reference: Cosmology consists in the study of theories about the origin,
nature, and development of the universe as an orderly system - Module Page 21
Line 14
26. Direct or immediate apprehension
Answer: E
Module Reference: A third source of human knowledge is intuition- the direct
apprehension of knowledge that is not derived from conscious reasoning or
immediate sense perception - Module Page 25 Line 4
Column B
A. Empiricism
B. Anthropological aspect
C. Ontological aspect
D. Theology
E. Intuition
F. Cosmological
G. Logic
H. Epistemology
I. Axiology
Dire Dawa University

Instruction: Matching
Column A
27. Rationalism
Answer: E
Module Reference: A second important source of human knowledge is reason. The
view that reasoning, thought, or logic is the central factor in knowledge is known as
rationalism - Module Page 24 Line 20
28. Empiricism
Answer: A
Module Reference: Empiricism (knowledge obtained through the senses). Empirical
knowledge appears to be built into the very nature of human experience - Module
Page 23 Line 27
29. Intuition
Answer: B
Module Reference: A third source of human knowledge is intuition- the direct
apprehension of knowledge that is not derived from conscious reasoning or
immediate sense perception - Module Page 25 Line 4
30. Cosmology
Answer: C
Module Reference: Cosmology consists in the study of theories about the origin,
nature, and development of the universe as an orderly system - Module Page 21
Line 15
31. Theology
Answer: D
Module Reference: Theological Aspect: Theology is that part of religious theory that
deals with conceptions of and about God - Module Page 21 Line 19
Column B
A. Sense experience is the source of knowledge
B. The direct apprehension of knowledge
C. The study of origin, nature, and development of the universe
D. the study about the nature and existence of God
E. Epistemologically, the primary source of knowledge is reason
Debre Brihan University
P

Practice Questions
Lesson 3: Metaphysics and Epistemology

Instruction: True/False
1. Philosophy main task is providing the correct answers for life fundamental questions
Answer: True
Module Reference: The content of philosophy is better seen as asking the right
questions rather than providing the correct answers. It even can be said that
philosophy is the study of questions – Module Page 19 Line 7
Instruction: Short Answer
2. What are the four metaphysical questions ?
Answer:
✓ Cosmological Aspect
✓ Theological Aspect
✓ Anthropological Aspect
✓ Ontological Aspect
Module Reference: – Module Page 21 Line 13 – Page 22
3. ____ is the position claiming that people cannot acquire reliable knowledge and that
any search for truth is in vain
Answer: Skepticism
Module Reference: Epistemology seeks answers to a number of fundamental issues.
One is whether reality can even be known. Skepticism in its narrow sense is the
position claiming that people cannot acquire reliable knowledge and that any search
for truth is in vain – Module Page 23 Line 8
4. What are the two areas epistemology covers?
Answer:
✓ the content of thought
✓ the thought itself
Module Reference: In other words, we can say that Epistemology is the study of the
nature, source, and validity of knowledge. It seeks to answer of the basic questions
as “What is true?” and “How do we know?” Thus, epistemology covers two areas:
the content of thought and thought itself – Module Page 22 Line 18
5. ____ is the branch of philosophy that studies the ultimate nature of reality or
existence
Answer: Metaphysics
Module Reference: – Module Page 20 Line 5
6. ____ is a profession of ignorance in reference to the existence or nonexistence of
God
Answer: Agnosticism
Module Reference: – A term closely related to skepticism is agnosticism.
Agnosticism is a profession of ignorance in reference to the existence or
nonexistence of God - Module Page 23 Line 12
Instruction: Multiple Choice
7. These Question: “Is mind more fundamental than body, with body depending on
mind, or vice versa? Does each person have a soul?”, can be best categorized as ____
questions.
A. Cosmology
B. Theology
C. Anthropology
D. Ontology
Answer: C
Module Reference: Anthropology deals with the study of human beings - Module
Page 21 Line 23
8. These Question: “Is there a God? If so, is there one or more than one? What are the
attributes of God?”, can be best categorized as ____ questions.
A. Cosmology
B. Theology
C. Anthropology
D. Ontology
Answer: B
Module Reference: Theological Aspect: Theology is that part of religious theory that
deals with conceptions of and about God - Module Page 21 Line 19
9. These Question: “What is humanity‘s moral status? Are people born good, evil, or
morally neutral?”, can be best categorized as ____ questions.
A. Cosmology
B. Theology
C. Anthropology
D. Ontology
Answer: C
Module Reference: Anthropology deals with the study of human beings - Module
Page 21 Line 23
10. These Question: “Is basic reality found in matter or physical energy (the world we
can sense), or is it found in spirit or spiritual energy?”, can be best categorized as ____
questions.
A. Cosmology
B. Theology
C. Anthropology
D. Ontology
Answer: D
Module Reference: Ontology is the study of the nature of existence, or what it
means for anything to exist - Module Page 22 Line 4
Core Fields of Philosophy
Lesson 4: Axiology and Logic
Axiology
term Axiology stems from two Greek words
“Axios”, meaning - value, worth, and
“logos”, meaning - reason/ theory/ symbol / science/ study
Axiology: philosophical study of value (the worth of something)
Axiology asks the philosophical questions of values that deal with notions of what a
person or a society regards as good or preferable, such as:
What is a value?
How do we justify our values?
What kinds of values exist?
Axiology deals with three areas:
1. Ethics
also known as Moral Philosophy
the philosophical study of moral principles, values, codes, and rules, which may be
used as standards for determining what kind of human conduct/action is said to be
good or bad, right or wrong
raises various questions including:
What is good/bad?
What is right/wrong?
Is it the Right Principle or the Good End that makes human action/conduct
moral?
What is the ultimate foundation of moral principles?
Why we honour and obey moral rules?
Ethics can be grouped into three broad categories
Normative Ethics
study and determine precisely the moral rules, principles, standards and goals
by which human beings might evaluate and judge the moral values of their
conducts, actions and decisions
Examples of normative ethical studies: Consequentialism or Teleological
Ethics, Deontological Ethics, and Virtue Ethics are the major
Meta-ethics
deals with investigation of the meaning of ethical terms, including a critical
study of how ethical statements can be verified
 concerned with the meanings of such ethical terms as good or bad and right
or wrong
Examples of meta ethical studies: Moral Prescriptivism, Moral Nihilism, and
Ethical Relativism Moral Intuitionism, Moral Emotivism
Applied Ethics
a normative ethics that attempts to explain, justify, apply moral rules,
principles, standards, and positions to specific moral problems, such as
capital punishment, euthanasia, abortion
2. Aesthetics
It is the theory of beauty
studies about the particular value of our artistic and aesthetic experience
deals with beauty, art, enjoyment, sensory/emotional values, perception, and
matters of taste and sentiment
typical Aesthetic questions:
What is art? What is beauty?
What is the connection between art, beauty, and truth?
Why works of art are valuable?
Does art have any moral value, and obligations or constraints?
3. Social/Political Philosophy
studies the value judgments operating in a civil society, be it social or political
questions Social/Political Philosophy primarily deal with:
What form of government is best?
What is justice/injustice?
What is society? Does society exist?
Are we obligated to obey all laws of the State?
What is the purpose of government?
Logic
study or theory of principles of right reasoning
deals with
formulating the right principles of reasoning
developing scientific methods of evaluating the validity and soundness of
arguments
questions raised by Logic:
What is an argument; What does it mean to argue?
What makes an argument valid or invalid? sound argument
How can we formulate and evaluate an argument? What is a fallacy?
 Key Points on Lesson 4: Axiology and Logic
Axiology
Axiology stems from two Greek words “Axios”, meaning - value, worth, and “logos”,
meaning - reason/ theory/ symbol / science/ study
Axiology: philosophical study of value (the worth of something)
what a person or a society regards as good or preferable
Axiology deals with three areas:
1. Ethics
also known as Moral Philosophy
the philosophical study of moral principles, values, codes, and rules
Ethics can be grouped into three broad categories
Normative Ethics: study and determine precisely the moral rules, principles,
standards and goals by which human beings might evaluate and judge the moral
values of their conducts, actions and decisions
Meta-ethics: deals with investigation of the meaning of ethical terms, including a
critical study of how ethical statements can be verified
Applied Ethics: a normative ethics that attempts to explain, justify, apply moral
rules, principles, standards, and positions to specific moral problems, such as
capital punishment, euthanasia, abortion
2. Aesthetics
It is the theory of beauty
studies about the particular value of our artistic and aesthetic experience
deals with beauty, art, enjoyment, sensory/emotional values, perception, and
matters of taste and sentiment
3. Social/Political Philosophy
studies the value judgments operating in a civil society, be it social or political
questions Social/Political Philosophy primarily deal with: What form of government
is best? What is justice/injustice?
Logic
study or theory of principles of right reasoning
deals with formulating the right principles of reasoning; developing scientific
methods of evaluating the validity and soundness of arguments
E

University Exams
Lesson 4: Axiology and Logic

Instruction: True/False
1. Axiology is the study of the relationship between values and knowledge
Answer: False
Explanation: Axiology does not study the relationship between values and
knowledge. It only study about value. There is another Core Fields of Philosophy
that study about knowledge and it is called Epistemology.
Module Reference:
✓ Axiology is the philosophical study of value, which originally meant the worth
of something. It includes the studies of moral values, aesthetic values, as well
as political and social values. Logic – Module Page 26 Line 14
Wollo University

Instruction: Multiple Choice

2. "Alemayehu" asked "Anderson", you seem, you are impressed, if l am not mistaken?
"Anderson replied yes." What makes you Impressed, asked Alemayehu? Look this
Mountain... it seems it's designed by a very good architecture and I am wondering by
its artistic view consisting of trees and full of stones. Alemayehu... oh... this mountain is
named Tossa, the identity of Dessie and seems the skeleton of human being. This
dialogue implies one of the branch of philosophy, identify?
A. Metaphysics
B. Aesthetics
C. Nihilism
D. Skepticism
Answer: B
Explanation: The dialogue between Alemayehu and Anderson implies that they are
discussing their aesthetic judgments and preferences about the mountain Tossa.
Anderson is impressed by the artistic view of the mountain. They are both
expressing their appreciation and evaluation of the mountain as an object of beauty.
Module Reference: Aesthetics is the theory of beauty. It studies about the particular
value of our artistic and aesthetic experiences. It deals with beauty, art, enjoyment,
sensory/emotional values, perception, and matters of taste and sentiment - Module
Page 29 Line 11
Wollo University
P

Practice Questions
Lesson 4: Axiology and Logic

Instruction: Short Answer

1. ____ is a science that deals with the philosophical study of moral principles, values,
codes, and rules, which may be used as standards for determining what kind of human
conduct/action is said to be good or bad, right or wrong
Answer: Ethics/Moral Philosophy
Module Reference: Module Page 27 Line 25
2. The term Axiology stems from two Greek ___ and ___
Answer:
✓ Axios
✓ logos
Module Reference: Axiology is the study or theory of value. The term Axiology stems
from two Greek words “Axios”, meaning “value, worth”, and “logos”, meaning
“reason/ theory/ symbol / science/study of” - Module Page 27 Line 5
3. What are the three broad categories Ethics, or ethical studies
Answer:
✓ Normative Ethics
✓ Meta-ethics
✓ Applied Ethics
Module Reference: Ethics, or ethical studies, can be grouped into three broad
categories: Normative ethics, Meta - Module Page 28 Line 18
4. List three examples of normative ethical studies
Answer:
✓ Consequentialism or Teleological Ethics
✓ Deontological Ethics
✓ Virtue Ethics
Module Reference: - Module Page 28 Line 24
Instruction: Multiple Choice
5. ____ attempts to explain, justify, apply moral rules, principles, standards, and
positions to specific moral problems, such as capital punishment, euthanasia, abortion,
adultery, animal right, and so on
A. Normative Ethics
B. Meta-ethics
C. Applied Ethics
D. Ontology
Answer: C
Module Reference: - Module Page 29 Line 3
6. ____ study or theory of principles of right reasoning
A. Normative Ethics
B. Meta-ethics
C. Applied Ethics
D. Logic
Answer: D
Module Reference: Logic is the study or theory of principles of right reasoning. It
deals with formulating the right principles of reasoning; and developing scientific
methods of evaluating the validity and soundness of arguments - Module Page 30
Line 20
7. ____ deals with investigation of the meaning of ethical terms, including a critical
study of how ethical statements can be verified
A. Normative Ethics
B. Meta-ethics
C. Applied Ethics
D. Moral Emotivism
Answer: B
Module Reference: - Module Page 28 Line 25
8. ____ is the ethical studies that attempt to study and determine precisely the moral
rules, principles, standards and goals by which human beings might evaluate and judge
the moral values of their conducts, actions and decisions
A. Normative Ethics
B. Meta-ethics
C. Applied Ethics
D. Ontology
Answer: A
Module Reference: - Module Page 28 Line 19
9. “What is the connection between art, beauty, and truth?”, This question is the
concern of
A. Virtue Ethics
B. Aesthetics
C. Applied Ethics
D. Consequentialism
Answer: B
Module Reference: Aesthetics is the theory of beauty. It studies about the particular
value of our artistic and aesthetic experiences. The following are typical Aesthetic
questions: “ What is art? What is beauty? What is the connection between art,
beauty, and truth?” - Module Page 29 Line 11
10. “What economic system is best? Does society exist? If it does, how does it come to
existence? What form of government is best?”, This question is the concern of
A. Virtue Ethics
B. Social/Political Philosophy
C. Applied Ethics
D. Consequentialism
Answer: B
Module Reference: Social/Political Philosophy studies about of the value judgments
operating in a civil society, be it social or political. The following questions are some
of the major Social/Political Philosophy primarily deal with: What form of
government is best? What economic system is best? What is justice/injustice? -
Module Page 30 Line 5
Lesson 5: Importance of Learning Philosophy
related with the necessity of studying philosophy there is a famous philosophical
statement - “The unexamined life is not worth living”
philosophy provides students with the tools they need to critically examine their
own lives as well as the world in which they live
psychologists point out that human beings have both maintenance and actualizing
needs
maintenance needs
refer to the physical and psychological needs that we must satisfy in order to
maintain ourselves as human beings
Example: food, shelter, security, social interaction
actualizing needs
associated with self-fulfilment, creativity, self-expression, realization of one’s
potential, and being everything, one can be
philosophy can assist us to actualize ourselves by promoting the ideal of self-
actualization
There are many characteristics of self-actualization to whose achievement studying
philosophy has a primordial contribution. Here below are some of them
Intellectual and Behavioural Independence
the ability to develop one’s own opinion and beliefs
helps us not only to know the alternative world views but also to know how
philosophers have ordered the universe for themselves
we can learn how to develop and integrate our experiences, thoughts,
feelings, and actions for ourselves
Reflective Self-Awareness
a clear knowledge of oneself and the world in which one lives
help us to intensify our self-awareness by inviting us to critically examine the
essential intellectual grounds of our live
Flexibility, Tolerance, and Open-Mindedness
As we confront with the thoughts of various philosophers, we can easily
realize that no viewpoint is necessarily true or false - that the value of any
attitude is contextual
we become more tolerant, open-minded, more receptive, and more
sympathetic to views that contend or clash with ours
Creative and Critical Thinking
ability to develop original philosophical perspective on issues, problems, and
events; and to engage them on a deeper level
 we can learn how to refine our powers of analysis, our abilities to think
critically, to reason, to evaluate, to theorize, and to justify
Conceptualized and well-thought-out value systems in morality, art, politics,
and the like
studying philosophy provides us with an opportunity to formulate feasible
evaluations of value; and thereby to find meaning in our lives
Philosophy helps us to deal with the uncertainty of living. It helps us to realize the
absence of an absolutely ascertained knowledge
Philosophy, though unable to tell us with certainty what is the true answer to the
doubts which it raises, is able to suggest many possibilities which enlarge our
thoughts and free them from the tyranny of custom
 Key Points on Lesson 5: Importance of Learning Philosophy
philosophy provides students with the tools they need to critically examine their
own lives as well as the world in which they live
psychologists point out human beings have both maintenance and actualizing needs
maintenance needs
refer to the physical and psychological needs that we must satisfy in order to
maintain ourselves as human beings. Example: food, shelter, security
actualizing needs
associated with self-fulfilment, creativity, self-expression, realization of one’s
potential, and being everything, one can be
philosophy can assist us to actualize ourselves by promoting the ideal of self-
actualization
There are many characteristics of self-actualization to whose achievement studying
philosophy has a primordial contribution. Here below are some of them
Intellectual and Behavioural Independence
the ability to develop one’s own opinion and beliefs
Reflective Self-Awareness
a clear knowledge of oneself and the world in which one lives
Flexibility, Tolerance, and Open-Mindedness
No viewpoint is necessarily true or false - that the value of any attitude is
contextual
Creative and Critical Thinking
ability to develop original philosophical perspective on issues, problems, and
events; and to engage them on a deeper level
Conceptualized and well-thought-out value systems in morality, art, politics,
and the like
studying philosophy provides us with an opportunity to formulate feasible
evaluations of value; and thereby to find meaning in our lives
Philosophy helps us to deal with the uncertainty of living. It helps us to realize the
absence of an absolutely ascertained knowledge
P

Practice Questions
Lesson 5: Importance of Learning Philosophy

Instruction: True/False
1. Philosophy provides students with the tools they need to critically examine their
own lives as well as the world in which they live
Answer: True
Module Reference: Module Page 31 Line 20
2. Philosophy necessarily lead to self-actualization
Answer: False
Module Reference: Although philosophy may not necessarily lead to this sort of self-
actualization, it can assist us to actualize ourselves by promoting the ideal of self-
actualization - Module Page 32 Line 1
3. There is no absolutely ascertained knowledge
Answer: True
Module Reference: The other benefit of studying philosophy that should not be missed
is that it helps us to deal with the uncertainty of living. Philosophy helps us to realize
the absence of an absolutely ascertained knowledge - Module Page 32 Line 28
4. Self-actualization can be realized without a clear knowledge of oneself and the world
in which one lives
Answer: False
Module Reference: self-actualization cannot be realized without a clear knowledge of
oneself and the world in which one lives. Philosophy helps us to intensify our self-
awareness by inviting us to critically examine the essential intellectual grounds of our
lives - Module Page 32 Line 11
5. No viewpoint is necessarily true or false- that the value of any attitude is contextual
Answer: True
Module Reference: As we confront with the thoughts of various philosophers we can
easily realize that no viewpoint is necessarily true or false- that the value of any
attitude is contextual - Module Page 32 Line 16
6. Creative and Critical Thinking is the ability to develop original philosophical
perspective on issues, problems, and events; and to engage them on a deeper level
Answer: True
Module Reference: - Module Page 32 Line 20
Instruction: Multiple Answer
7. Which one of the following is actualizing need?
A. Self-expression
B. Creativity
C. Social interaction
D. All
E. A and B
Answer: E
Module Reference: Some modern psychologists point out that human beings have both
maintenance and actualizing needs … the later appear to be associated with self-
fulfillment, creativity, self-expression, realization of one‘s potential, and being
everything one can be - Module Page 31 Line 20
Instruction: Short Answer
8. According to modern psychologists what are the two needs human beings have?
Answer:
✓ Maintenance need
✓ Actualizing need
Module Reference: Module Page 31 Line 22
9. ____ need is physical and psychological needs that we must satisfy in order to
maintain ourselves as human beings: food, shelter, security, social interaction, and the
like
Answer: Maintenance need
Module Reference: Module Page 31 Line 22
10. List at least three characteristics of self-actualization
Answer:
✓ Intellectual and Behavioral Independence
 ✓ Reflective Self-Awareness
✓ Flexibility, Tolerance, and Open-Mindedness
✓ Creative and Critical Thinking
✓ Conceptualized and well-thought-out value systems in morality, art, politics, and
the like
Module Reference: Module Page 31 Line 22