A to Z of Philosophers - 'B' Trivia Quiz

Answer: Inductive reasoning

There are infinite examples of inductive reasoning and the following is just one of them:

(O just represents an object)

Every O that has been observed is the colour red;
Thus, all Os in existence are red.

The above may seem logical, and many people accept such induction as valid. The critics of this methodology, such as Karl Popper, who was instrumental in falsificationism, say that this just cannot work. They suggest that even though we have only seen, in this case, a red object the possibility of a blue version of that object is still possible. Taken from a different angle, it is impossible to rule out the potential discovery of a blue object. The opposite of inductive reasoning is deductive reasoning and here is the classic example provided by Aristotle:

All men are mortal;
Socrates is a man;
Socrates is mortal.

The difference between this deduction and the prior induction is that in deduction one starts off with a general rule and applies that rule to individual cases. The strength of the conclusion is essentially concrete. In induction one starts with the individual cases which are used to derive a general rule. The rule is often tenuous and needs constant validation of infinite individual cases known as "particulars" to assure that the general rule or "Universal" is true. In terms of particulars and Universals, in induction, one would begin with a particular and from there proceed to a Universal.

Falsificationism states that it is logically valid to "falsify" an hypothesis or assertion by observation or by experimenting. Indeed, Karl Popper believed that an hypothesis or assertion must be falsifiable (open to potential disproof) to be considered true science. Falsificationism doesn't mean that the assertion is invalid but that others have the ability to prove that it is invalid by observation and by experimentation. Another related yet different concept is testability which suggests that an assertion can be falsifiable purely and solely by experimentation. Thus, it is considered a form of empiricism.

Answer: Hercules

In a rather small font found beneath the ship travelling between the Pillars of Hercules there are the words 'Multi pertransibunt et augebitur scientia' or in English 'Many will pass through and knowledge will be the greater'.

Whereas nowadays the area including the Rock of Gibraltar is considered the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea which allows people to travel as far east as Israel and Lebanon, the area was once seen as a portal from the Mediterranean to the rest of the world. It is suggested that this is why Francis Bacon used the Pillars of Hercules on such a publication: it signified discovery.

Answer: The New Atlantis

I have to admit that this novel, along with Benjamin Disraeli's offering of "Sybil" in 1845, are two books that I have absolutely no intention of reading. The concept of a novel being based around a research centre where they analysed results and let people know of their findings does very little for me. Sorry Sir Francis!

The importance of "The New Atlantis" however is that it documented the scientific method and illustrated how the results of such a method could be used in everyday life. At the time the idea of a research centre was innovative. I should really give Francis Bacon a bit more credit then!

Answer: Lawyer

Bentham disliked the inherent contradictions present in the legal minefield, so he moved on from one discipline full of jargon and highfalutin vocabulary to another as he embraced philosophy. Jeremy Bentham believed that the human would succumb and be controlled by two simple yet profound phenomena; pain and pleasure.

These two phenomena could be either physical, mental or spiritual. Here is what the man himself had to say about this, "Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure ...

They govern us in all we do, in all we say, in all we think: every effort we can make to throw off our subjection will serve but to demonstrate and confirm it. In words a man may pretend to abjure their empire, but in reality he will remain subject to it all the while."

Answer: Utilitarianism

The perfect arena for implementing utilitarian thought is in the world of politics. Essentially, Bentham suggests that pleasure ought to be maximised and pain reduced. A compatriot philosopher of Bentham, John Stuart Mill, agreed with this concept of utility yet found a flaw in the former's thinking. John Stuart Mill criticised the fact that Bentham did not distinguish between pleasure and happiness. Mill did not believe that experiencing pleasure always meant that the individual was happy and he would incorporate that into his interpretation of the philosophy.

Bentham's interpretation of pain and pleasure was that it could be either physical or spiritual. The philosopher even devised a way of quantifying these two phenomena known as 'felicific calculus'. Some things taken into consideration were how strong is the pleasure and for how long will the pleasure last?

Answer: Adam Smith

Jeremy Bentham was politically and economically liberal in the sense that he supported and campaigned for movements whose aims were among other things to allow female equality with men and the decriminalisation of homosexual practice. In general, Bentham was a keen promoter of civil liberties and against the criminalisation of acts that had no victim.

"The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith is known for the concept of "The Invisible Hand". Smith argued that people often behave in self-interest and that that self-interest had positive consequences for the local economy and even for the national economy. There are misconceptions that Smith suggests that all acts of self-interest are of indirect benefit to others, but, it is more correct to say he argued against the assertion that all people who act with self-interest in mind are of no benefit.

Answer: Theodoric the Great

Theodoric the Great was the king of the Ostrogoths and from AD 493 to 526 was the leader of Italy. Boethius, who was a consul under King Theodoric, was executed on suspicion of collaboration with the Byzantines in the east.

Answer: Consolation of Philosophy

If ever there was a case of a person in despair producing an example of inspired greatness, this is it. With the prospect of execution Boethius, in an attempt to 'console' himself, produced a work of philosophical literature which was to be the 'gold standard' of medieval thought for many years.

Included in the issues brought up in this book are the prosperity of those who are evil and the suffering of those who are good. Admittedly, at some point in our lives that most poignant of issues will have crossed our minds and perhaps that is what made and continues to make the publication so great; it was something people could and still can relate to.

Answer: Yes

The feast day of Boethius falls on October 23 of each year and he shares this day with other Roman Catholic saints such as Ignatius of Constantinople. There does remain a line of thought which suspects that Boethius was pagan. The tomb of the philosopher is found in a basilica in Italy named San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro.

Answer: Jeremy Bentham

University College, University of London was founded in 1826. Jeremy Bentham was a keen reformer in all aspects of law and politics. He believed that a good education should be available for all those who are capable of gaining from it regardless of wealth and social standing. This is in direct contrast to Oxford University and Cambridge University at the time where there were strict requirements for matriculation such as being a member of the established church. As the latter two universities were also places that were very expensive to study at, they were inaccessible to most of the population.

Thanks for playing and I hope to see you for the letter C!