Question 1

What is the most significant topic of debate regarding astronomy today?
A) The possibility of life on other planets.
B) How the universe was created.
C) How the universe will end.
D) Whether or not humans should continue space travel.
E) The size of the universe.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

Which of the following statements about 19th century religion is accurate?
A) The church's most faithful followers were urban conservatives.
B) Intellectuals rejected the claim of the clergy that, because of their religious work, they were closer to a higher being than most people.
C) Marxists believed that religion had a minor role to play while socialism first gained a foothold.
D) Liberals began to assert forcefully that God was dead.
E) The largest group to remain true to the Christian faith was the middle class.

Accepted Answer

Intellectuals began to reject the idea that the clergy were closer to God than other people. This rejection helped to pave the way for secularism and a greater separation of church and state.

Question 3

What was the philosophy behind the briefly popular Social Darwinism practiced in the late 1800s and early 1900s?
A) Utilitariansim was the best way to approach all problems.
B) Sociology was a pseudo-science when compared to Darwin's theories.
C) Darwin was a social creature and his teachings led to harmony.
D) Only the fittest will survive as a ruthless natural order dictates.
E) Socialist are meant to overcome all resistance in politics.

Accepted Answer

Social Darwinism was based on the belief that only the fittest individuals and societies would survive, and that this was a ruthless natural order that should not be interfered with. This belief led to support for eugenics, the idea of breeding “better” humans, and a disregard for the welfare of those deemed inferior or “unfit.” It was used to justify colonialism, racism, and the mistreatment of indigenous peoples.

Question 4

What is the meaning of cultural relativism?
A) A rejection of anything not European.
B) A rejection of the new sciences.
C) A rejection of social reform.
D) A rejection of European ethnocentrism.
E) A rejection of international trade.

Accepted Answer

Cultural relativism is the idea that a person's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on their own culture rather than judged by the standards of another culture. It rejects the idea of European ethnocentrism, which is the belief that European culture is superior to others. Therefore, choice D is the best option as it directly opposes European ethnocentrism.

Question 5

What is the central concept of the Darwinian theory of evolution?
A) Natural selection.
B) Atheism.
C) Creationism.
D) The laws of entropy.
E) Racial superiority.

Accepted Answer

Natural selection is the central concept of the Darwinian theory of evolution. It proposes that individuals with advantageous inherited traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to their offspring, while those with disadvantageous traits are less likely to survive and reproduce. Over time, this leads to the gradual evolution of species through a process of natural selection.

Question 6

The Theory of Relativity, which announced the birth of 20th century physics and the end of the dominance of the Newtonian model, was developed by which German physicist?
A) Ernst Mach
B) Max Planck
C) Albert Einstein.
D) Wilhelm Roentgen
E) Max Bartolome

Accepted Answer

The Theory of Relativity was developed by Albert Einstein, a German physicist.

Question 7

What were the subjects of Ivan Pavlov's earliest work in behaviorism?
A) Apes.
B) Mice.
C) Dogs.
D) Cats.
E) Birds.

Accepted Answer

Ivan Pavlov's earliest work in behaviorism focused on studying dogs' digestive processes, which led him to make discoveries about classical conditioning.

Question 8

The underlying concept behind 20th century physics is that
A) man can know only what his senses tell him.
B) it is possible to predict the possibility of certain events occurring through the study of physics.
C) the world is a machine that will continue to operate regardless of what humans do.
D) it is impossible to apply philosophical logic to physical matter.
E) by studying matter quantitatively, one should be able to determine what matter is and does.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The underlying concept behind 20th century physics...

Question 9

Sociology is based on the premise that
A) humans are social animals whose behavior can be studied to the point of predicting future behavior.
B) if one studied social behavior sufficiently, one could figure out how to alter behavior in positive ways.
C) all humans are capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, if the right approach is used with each individual.
D) the study of anthropology will help one predict future human social behavior.
E) the best reason for studying humanity en masse is to determine which social groups are most compatible with each other.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sociology is based on the premise that
A)...

Question 10

In 1891, what did Pope Leo XIII's major encyclical Rerum novarum affirm for the Catholic church?
A) The need for an armed guard for the Catholic Church.
B) That Catholics and socialists had essentially the same belief pattern.
C) The ideals of social justice and opposition to atheistic socialism.
D) That the priests were infallible and should be followed without fail.
E) That labor unions would solve the problems of modern societies.

Accepted Answer

Pope Leo XIII's major encyclical Rerum novarum affirmed the ideals of social justice and opposition to atheistic socialism, specifically addressing the rights and dignity of the working class and the responsibility of the state to uphold these rights. It was a pivotal moment in the Catholic Church's stance towards issues of social and economic justice.

Question 11

One of the most disturbing aspects of modern specialized scientific study is that
A) the ordinary person can never truly comprehend what goes on in a scientist's mind.
B) science has become so specialized that not enough people choose that field, thus eroding the number of discoveries made.
C) students in our public schools and universities find it very difficult to break into the field of science at all.
D) because the field of science is so advanced member of Congress who have the oversight of federal tax dollars might fund something dangerous without knowing what they are doing.
E) None of the options are correct.

Accepted Answer

The concern is that the complexity and specialization in science may lead to a lack of understanding among policymakers, potentially resulting in the funding of dangerous or inappropriate scientific projects.

Question 12

The British Christians who did not accept the Anglican credo were known as
A) Unitarians.
B) Methodists.
C) Quakers.
D) Nonconformists.
E) Each of these groups rejected Anglicanism.

Accepted Answer

The term "Nonconformists" refers to British Christians who did not accept the Anglican credo, including groups such as Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists, and others who were persecuted for their beliefs. It is a broader term than the other options, which refer to specific non-Anglican religious groups.

Question 13

Which of these disciplines developed, if indirectly, because of Darwinian biology?
A) Anthropology
B) Sociology
C) Psychology
D) Both A and B are correct.
E) Both B and C are correct.

Accepted Answer

Both anthropology and sociology have been influenced by Darwinian biology through their focus on the study of human evolution and the social and cultural implications of evolutionary theory. While psychology has also been influenced by Darwinian biology, it is not directly related to the development of the discipline.

Question 14

Freud believed that he had completed the destruction of the traditional view of mankind begun by
A) Copernicus and Darwin.
B) Aristotle and Comte.
C) Newton and Darwin.
D) Darwin and Marx.
E) Aristotle and Newton.

Accepted Answer

Freud believed that he had completed the destruction of the traditional view of mankind that was initiated by Copernicus and Darwin. Copernicus challenged the widely held belief that the Earth was the center of the universe, while Darwin challenged the notion of humans being a separate and superior creation. Freud similarly challenged traditional views of human nature by introducing the concepts of the unconscious mind and the importance of early childhood experiences in shaping adult behavior.

Question 15

What is the underlying premise for sociology that was so appealing to the American mind-set?
A) All humans are capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, if the right approach is used with each individual.
B) The study of anthropology will help one predict future human social behavior.
C) If one studied social behavior sufficiently, one could figure out how to alter behavior in positive ways.
D) Humans are social animals whose behavior can be studied to the point of predicting future behavior.
E) By studying human behavior sociologists can help the government control the population.

Accepted Answer

The underlying premise for sociology that appealed to the American mindset is the belief that by studying social behavior sufficiently, one could figure out how to alter behavior in positive ways. This reflects the optimism in the ability to understand and improve society through scientific study.

Question 16

Whose previous work did B.F.Skinner and William James expand and supplement in the 20th Century?
A) Ivan Pavlov.
B) Albert Einstein.
C) Robert Tidwell.
D) Sigmund Freud.
E) Herbert Spencer.

Accepted Answer

B.F. Skinner and William James expanded and supplemented the work of Ivan Pavlov in the 20th century. Pavlov's work on classical conditioning laid the foundation for Skinner's research on operant conditioning and James' theories on habit formation.

Question 17

During the 19th century, both Catholics and Protestants were often viewed as
A) too passionate about spreading their faith.
B) too pessimistic in their views about the future.
C) unpleasant anti-progressives.
D) on the cutting edge of using new technologies.
E) thoughtful ethicists willing to adopt new ideas.

Accepted Answer

During the 19th century, both Catholics and Protestants were often seen as anti-progressive due to their resistance to certain social and scientific advancements, which were perceived as threats to traditional religious beliefs.

Question 18

In the encyclical Rerum novarum, the Catholic Church affirmed its support of
A) laissez-faire in thought.
B) creationism in schools.
C) liberalism in politics.
D) social justice for all classes.
E) labor unions for factory workers.

Accepted Answer

Rerum novarum affirmed the Catholic Church's support for social justice for all classes. The encyclical called for the protection of workers' rights, including just wages and safe working conditions. It also recognized the importance of private property rights, but emphasized that they must be balanced with the common good and the needs of the poor.

Question 19

What was the result of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck's attacks on the church in Germany?
A) Civil war erupted between the religious believers and atheists.
B) Some churches closed as Germans preferred to follow their political leaders.
C) The church emerged stronger than ever and founded a political party.
D) The various religious groups banded together in an underground organization.
E) The church asked the Pope to provide protection from Bismarck.

Accepted Answer

Bismarck's Kulturkampf aimed to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church, but it ultimately strengthened the church's political influence, leading to the formation of the Centre Party.

Question 20

According to Charles Darwin, how should the concept of God be treated?
A) God should be affirmed.
B) God should be exalted.
C) God should be given some consideration.
D) God should be viewed from afar.
E) God should be ignored.

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin was known for his scientific approach to the natural world and his theory of evolution through natural selection. He did not believe in the existence of a deity or a supernatural force controlling the world. Therefore, he would not advocate for the affirmation, exaltation, or even consideration of the concept of God. Instead, he believed in the power of science and reason to explain the world around us, thus demonstrating his view that God should be ignored.

Quiz 39: Modern Science and Its Implications

What is the most significant topic of debate regarding astronomy today?

Which of the following statements about 19th century religion is accurate?

What was the philosophy behind the briefly popular Social Darwinism practiced in the late 1800s and early 1900s?

What is the meaning of cultural relativism?

What is the central concept of the Darwinian theory of evolution?

The Theory of Relativity, which announced the birth of 20th century physics and the end of the dominance of the Newtonian model, was developed by which German physicist?

What were the subjects of Ivan Pavlov's earliest work in behaviorism?

The underlying concept behind 20th century physics is that

Sociology is based on the premise that

In 1891, what did Pope Leo XIII's major encyclical Rerum novarum affirm for the Catholic church?

One of the most disturbing aspects of modern specialized scientific study is that

The British Christians who did not accept the Anglican credo were known as

Which of these disciplines developed, if indirectly, because of Darwinian biology?

Freud believed that he had completed the destruction of the traditional view of mankind begun by

What is the underlying premise for sociology that was so appealing to the American mind-set?

Whose previous work did B.F.Skinner and William James expand and supplement in the 20th Century?

During the 19th century, both Catholics and Protestants were often viewed as

In the encyclical Rerum novarum, the Catholic Church affirmed its support of

What was the result of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck's attacks on the church in Germany?

According to Charles Darwin, how should the concept of God be treated?