100 Introduction to Philosophy 

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PHIL 100 Exam: Rubrics and Questions

Rubrics

Lancaster University 1999 Examinations
Part 1
Philosophy
100 Introduction to Philosophy

3 Hours
Answer three questions, 2 from section A, 1 from section B.
Note:
Section A: 10 questions Covers all the course except the Summer Term (Morality)
Section B: 2 questions Covers the Summer Term

Sample questions:

1. Do you think you can combine a scientific approach to the world with a belief in human freedom?
2. In discovering the cause of something are we doing more than discovering a pattern among events?
3. Explain and evaluate one alternative to determinism.
4. Identify a film (or play, or novel) which explores at a challenging level the theme that human behaviour can never be fully simulated by computer. Explain why it is challenging.
   
   
5. How would a utilitarian decide whether a particular action (e.g. telling a lie) is right or wrong? What, in your opinion, are the main strengths and weaknesses of their approach?
6. Critically discuss the claim that there is no objective truth in ethics, because what is right and wrong is a matter of opinion, and this varies from culture to culture.
7. -
   • EITHER: Evaluate the attempt to deduce the existence of God using the ontological argument;
   • OR: Assess the claim that intelligent design is the best hypothesis by which to explain natural order;
   • OR: Can the non-existence of God be deduced from the existence of evil and suffering?
8. Discuss the claim that religion shows us the limits of reason.
9. Outline the grounds on which a philosopher might be sceptical about the existence of the material world, OR the existence of other minds, OR the rationality of induction. What do you consider to be the most effective form of reply to the sceptic?
10. Which is the more rational strategy, to believe nothing for which you do not have good evidence, or to retain all your existing beliefs, however you came by them, only rejecting a belief when you find evidence against it?
    
    
11. What does Gilbert Ryle mean by a 'category mistake'? How is Cartesian dualism based on a category mistake? do you agree with Ryle? Why or why not?
12. Critically discuss D.M. Armstrong's claim that mental states are physical states of the brain.
13. Can computers think? (Discuss with reference to John Searle's Chinese room argument.)
14. Does eliminative materialism offer a satisfactory solution to the mind-body problem?