10 Philosophers, 10 Questions! - Part 1 Quiz

Answer: How does belief in a religion transform a believer's experience?

William James (1842-1910) was an American psychologist and philosopher.

According to William James's pragmatic approach, the value of religious belief is not found in whether it aligns with an objective metaphysical reality, but rather in its impact on the believer's life. In other words, if a belief benefits a person, it is considered "true" for him or her, regardless of any empirical evidence. According to James, beliefs should be evaluated based on their ability to make life meaningful and worthwhile.

Answer: Aesthetic stage

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855) was a Danish philosopher who is considered the father of existentialism. Existentialism is the philosophy that focuses on individual freedom, choice, and the inherent meaninglessness of life, requiring people to create their own meaning.

In Kierkegaard's theory of the three stages of life, the aesthetic stage is characterized by the pursuit of new thrills and instant gratifications. Like Kramer, individuals in this stage often engage in impulsive and eccentric activities, seeking new excitement every day. They focus on immediate pleasures and avoid commitment or responsibility, resulting in a sense of meaninglessness, as seen in Kramer's constant search for fleeting, ridiculous pursuits without lasting purpose.

Answer: Ancient Greece

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a German philosopher. Nietzsche was one of the forerunners of existentialism.

According to Nietzsche, master morality assigns value to qualities that enable human flourishing. The moral values of the masters are pride, egoism, risk-taking, and a competitive and playful view of life-virtues that Nietzsche identified in the citizens of ancient Greece. Nietzsche admired their competitive nature, seeing it as a form of self-overcoming and a way to affirm one's power and worth. In master morality, competition and victory are celebrated, and weakness is scorned. In "The Birth of Tragedy", Nietzsche sees Greek culture, particularly Greek tragedy, as embodying a deep and unapologetic affirmation of life in all its chaotic, painful, and beautiful forms.

Answer: Their continuity is vital for societal happiness

Edmund Burke (1729 -1797) was an Irish statesman and political philosopher. He served as a member of the British Parliament. Burke is considered the main intellectual leader of the conservative-religious and anti-revolutionary forces in Europe, especially after the French Revolution.

Edmund Burke viewed the continuity of institutions as essential for preserving happiness within society because they provide stability, tradition, and a framework for social order that fosters individual well-being and collective harmony. Almost everything that makes life meaningful comes from society-its knowledge, traditions, and institutions passed down through generations. When these are destroyed, the result is human suffering.

Answer: Myth and violence

Georges Eugène Sorel (1847-1922) was a French philosopher and sociologist, and a key theorist in the revolutionary syndicalism movement, a political and economic ideology that supports the transfer of control over industry and government to federations of labor organizations. Sorel is regarded as one of the most controversial theorists, with some viewing him as a forerunner of fascism.

Sorel believes that myths are incredibly important because they help bring people together and drive social change. One of the key myths he focuses on is the "general strike", which serves as a powerful symbol of working-class unity and revolution. For him, myths like the general strike give people a common goal that pushes them to take action. Sorel's idea shows how violence, often tied to this myth, can spark change in society. A myth tells a story where violence is seen as something heroic, rather than mere aggression. This myth not only speeds up the use of violence but also makes it seem "justified" (in Sorel's view). In this way, myths like the general strike do two things: they unite workers with a shared purpose and give a reason to see revolutionary violence as necessary.

Answer: Will

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) was a German philosopher. He is best known for his book, "The World as Desire and Image". In this book, Schopenhauer identified the Will as a fundamental driving force behind all human actions.

The will is a blind, irrational force that is insatiable and drives all our actions and desires. This desire is present in everything - from humans to plants and even inanimate objects. The will is the source of all suffering; it drives us to pursue desires, but when we fulfill them, new desires emerge, trapping us in an endless cycle of dissatisfaction.

Answer: Interaction with another human being

Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762-1814) born in the Electorate of Saxony. He was a German philosopher, and one of Immanuel Kant's students.

The concept of self-consciousness in Johann Gottlieb Fichte's philosophy belongs to the field of German Idealism, a philosophical movement that explores the nature of reality, self, and consciousness. According to Fichte, the self can be aware of itself (self-consciousness) only by placing something outside of itself.

Answer: A desire to rebel against social norms

Herbert Marcuse (1898-1979) was a Jewish German writer, and part of the Frankfurt School. His doctrine is based on three sources: Hegel's dialectical philosophy, Marx's historical materialism, and Freud's Metapsychology.

Herbert Marcuse blames the capitalist consumer culture for producing the one-dimensional man - who passively consumes culture and uncritically accepts dominant ideologies. He perceives the existing order as necessary or "natural" and therefore eliminating any perceived need for rebellion or systemic change.

The "one-dimensional" society is surprisingly very tolerant to oppositional voices. Marcuse called it Repressive Tolerance, which serves as a manipulative means of control that suppresses genuine change while reinforcing the status quo. According to Marcuse, the political parties have undergone a process of unification, resulting in a lack of distinct differences between them. Moreover, the popularization, banalization, and commercialization of high culture turned culture into entertainment, which destroys its emancipatory potential.

Answer: Institutional decentralization

Charles-Louis Montesquieu (1689-1755) was a French philosopher who was best known for his theory of the "Separation of Powers".

He argued that institutional decentralization is essential for maintaining freedom and preventing tyranny. Typically, this separation of powers is divided into three branches: the legislative authority, the executive authority, and the judicial authority. By distributing power among these branches, Montesquieu believed that society could achieve a balance that protects individual liberties.

Answer: Utilitarianism

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) was a British philosopher, and was the founder of Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is a philosophical doctrine that determines value based on its contribution to the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

For example, the Ministry of Welfare faces a choice between funding a job training program or providing direct cash assistance to unemployed individuals. A utilitarian approach would favor the job training program, as it promotes long-term employment and greater overall happiness for the community.