Question 1

According to Russell, "If the study of philosophy has any value at all for others than students of philosophy, it must be only __________, through its effects upon the lives of those who study it. It is in these effects, therefore, if anywhere, that the value of philosophy must be primarily sought."

Accepted Answer

Russell argues that the value of philosophy lies in its indirect effects on the lives of those who study it. He does not advocate for the superficial or metaphysical values of philosophy, and while he does discuss the spiritual aspect of philosophy, he does not argue that its value lies solely in this aspect.

Question 2

According to Russell, "The _________man, as this word is often used, is one who recognizes only material needs, who realizes that men must have food for the body, but is oblivious of the necessity of providing food for the mind."

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that this type of person is focused solely on physical necessities and is not concerned with intellectual or spiritual needs. The word "practical" is often associated with a focus on physical needs and practical solutions rather than idealistic or philosophical ones. Therefore, option A is the best choice for this statement.

Question 3

Russell says, "It is exclusively among the ___________________ that the value of philosophy is to be found; and only those who are not indifferent to these goods can be persuaded that the study of philosophy is not a waste of time."

Accepted Answer

In this quote, Russell is saying that the value of philosophy is found among the "goods of the mind," which suggests that the answer is B. The other options, goods of the body, idols of the marketplace, and idols of religion, are not mentioned in this quote and do not seem to be relevant to Russell's argument.

Question 4

Russell says, "the fact that, as soon as definite knowledge concerning any subject becomes possible, this subject ceases to be called __________, and becomes a separate ________."

Accepted Answer

Russell is alluding to the distinction between philosophy and science. Philosophy deals with questions that are often unanswerable or open to interpretation, while science seeks to develop empirical knowledge and objective understanding of the world. Once a subject can be studied through scientific methods and produce verifiable results, it is no longer considered philosophical but rather scientific. Therefore, the best choice is D, philosophy; science.

Question 5

Russell says, "The value of philosophy is, in fact, to be sought largely in its very ___________. The man who has no tincture of philosophy goes through life imprisoned in the prejudices derived from common sense, from the habitual beliefs of his age or his nation, and from convictions which have grown up in his mind without the co-operation or consent of his deliberate reason."

Accepted Answer

Russell argues that the value of philosophy lies in its uncertainty, which challenges and expands our understanding beyond common sense and habitual beliefs.

Question 6

According to Russell, "_________________________ does not, in its widest survey, divide the universe into two hostile camps-friends and foes, helpful and hostile, good and bad-it views the whole impartially."

Accepted Answer

The statement refers to "philosophic contemplation", which is the activity of examining and analyzing concepts and ideas in a neutral and unbiased way, without dividing the world into binary opposites or taking sides.

Question 7

Russell says, "All acquisition of knowledge is an enlargement of the ________, but this enlargement is best attained when it is not directly sought. It is obtained when the desire for knowledge is alone operative, by a study which does not wish in advance that its objects should have this or that character."

Accepted Answer

According to Russell, the acquisition of knowledge is an enlargement of the self, which suggests that the best choice is option C. The other answer choices (body, universe, unknown) do not align as well with Russell's perspective on knowledge acquisition.

Question 8

According to Russell, "Hence also the ______________ will value more the abstract and universal knowledge into which the accidents of private history do not enter, than the knowledge brought by the senses, and dependent, as such knowledge must be, upon an exclusive and personal point of view and a body whose sense-organs distort as much as they reveal."

Accepted Answer

Russell is arguing that those with a "free intellect" will value abstract and universal knowledge more than knowledge gained through personal experience and sensory input, which can be distorted by the limitations of an individual's body and perspective.

Question 9

Russell says, "Philosophy is to be studied, not for the sake of any definite answers to its questions, since no definite answers can, as a rule, be known to be true, but rather for the sake of ..."

Accepted Answer

Russell's statement suggests that the value in studying philosophy lies in the exploration and understanding of the questions themselves, rather than the pursuit of definite answers.

Question 10

According to Russell, "If the study of philosophy has any value at all for others than students of philosophy, it must be only indirectly, through its effects upon the lives of those who study it. It is in these effects, therefore, if anywhere, that the value of philosophy must be primarily sought."

Accepted Answer

Russell argues that the value of philosophy lies in its effects on the lives of those who study it, rather than any direct practical application.

Question 11

According to Russell, "The idealistic man, as this word is often used, is one who recognizes only material needs, who realizes that men must have food for the body, but is oblivious of the necessity of providing food for the mind."

Accepted Answer

This statement is actually the opposite of what Russell believed. He considered the idealistic man to be one who recognizes not only material needs, but also the importance of providing nourishment for the mind.

Question 12

Russell says, "It is exclusively among the idols of the marketplace that the value of philosophy is to be found; and only those who are not indifferent to these goods can be persuaded that the study of philosophy is not a waste of time."

Accepted Answer

Bertrand Russell actually argues that the value of philosophy is not to be found in the material goods or practical outcomes (idols of the marketplace), but in its ability to expand our minds and enrich our intellectual and spiritual lives, suggesting that its worth goes beyond practical utility.

Question 13

Russell says, "the fact that, as soon as definite knowledge concerning any subject becomes possible, this subject ceases to be called philosophy, and becomes a separate science."

Accepted Answer

According to Russell, once definite knowledge is obtained about a subject, it is no longer considered philosophy but a separate science.

Question 14

Russell says, "The value of philosophy is, in fact, to be sought largely in its very uncertainty. The man who has no tincture of philosophy goes through life imprisoned in the prejudices derived from common sense, from the habitual beliefs of his age or his nation, and from convictions which have grown up in his mind without the co-operation or consent of his deliberate reason."

Accepted Answer

Russell believes that philosophy's uncertainty allows individuals to question their ingrained beliefs and prejudices, leading to a more deliberate and reasoned outlook on life. Without philosophy, one may rely solely on common sense and societal norms, hindering their potential for growth and intellectual curiosity.

Question 15

According to Russell, "Philosophic contemplation does not, in its widest survey, divide the universe into two hostile camps-friends and foes, helpful and hostile, good and bad-it views the whole impartially."

Accepted Answer

Russell argues that philosophic contemplation views the universe impartially, without dividing it into binary oppositions such as friend/foe or good/bad.

Question 16

Russell says, "All acquisition of knowledge is an enlargement of the Self, but this enlargement is best attained when it is not directly sought. It is obtained when the desire for knowledge is alone operative, by a study which does not wish in advance that its objects should have this or that character."

Accepted Answer

Russell believes that the best way to acquire knowledge and enlarge the Self is through a desire for knowledge alone, without any preconceived notions of what that knowledge should be.

Question 17

According to Russell, "Hence also the restricted mind will value more the abstract and universal knowledge into which the accidents of private history do not enter, than the knowledge brought by the senses, and dependent, as such knowledge must be, upon an exclusive and personal point of view and a body whose sense-organs distort as much as they reveal."

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Russell, "Hence also the restricted...

Question 18

Russell says, "Philosophy is to be studied, not for the sake of any definite answers to its questions, since no definite answers can, as a rule, be known to be true, but rather for the sake of the questions themselves."

Accepted Answer

This is a quote from Bertrand Russell's book "The Problems of Philosophy" where he explains his perspective on the purpose of studying philosophy. He argues that the value of philosophy lies in the questions it poses and the critical thinking skills it develops, rather than in any definitive answers it may provide.

Question 19

Explain Russell's meaning when he says, "If the study of philosophy has any value at all for others than students of philosophy, it must be only indirectly, through its effects upon the lives of those who study it. It is in these effects, therefore, if anywhere, that the value of philosophy must be primarily sought." Do you agree with Russell?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain Russell's meaning when he says, "If...

Question 20

According to Russell, "The practical man, as this word is often used, is one who recognizes only material needs, who realizes that men must have food for the body, but is oblivious of the necessity of providing food for the mind." Do you agree with Russell? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Russell, "The practical man, as...

Quiz 11: Bertrand Russell the Value of Philosophy