Understanding Knowledge and Arguments Quiz

Which of the following is an example of a posteriori knowledge?

• Knowing that 2 + 2 equals 4

• Knowing that water boils at 100°C

• Knowing that all bachelors are unmarried

• Knowing that triangles have three sides

What type of knowledge is acquired without experience of the external world?

• A posteriori

• A priori

• Abductive

• Analytic

Which of the following best describes an abductive argument?

• An argument that is true by definition

• An argument that is based on experience

• An argument that is the best explanation for a set of observations

• An argument that is derived from pure logic

Which of the following is an example of a priori knowledge?

• Knowing that the sky is blue

• Knowing that 900 divided by 7 is approximately 128.57

• Knowing that ice melts at 0°C

• Knowing that the Earth orbits the Sun

What is an analytic truth?

• A truth that is based on empirical evidence

• A truth that is true by virtue of the meaning of the words

• A truth that is the best explanation for a phenomenon

• A truth that is derived from experience

Which of the following statements is an example of an analytic truth?

• All swans are white

• All bachelors are unmarried

• The Earth is round

• Water is wet

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an abductive argument?

• It is the best explanation for a set of observations

• It makes the fewest assumptions

• It is true by definition

• It has explanatory and predictive power

Which of the following is an example of a posteriori knowledge?

• Knowing that 5 + 5 equals 10

• Knowing that the Eiffel Tower is in Paris

• Knowing that a triangle has three sides

• Knowing that all bachelors are unmarried

What principle is often used in abductive arguments to prefer one explanation over another?

• Principle of Sufficient Reason

• Ockham’s razor

• Principle of Non-Contradiction

• Principle of Identity

Which of the following is an example of a priori knowledge?

• Knowing that the Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean

• Knowing that 2 + 3 equals 5

• Knowing that the Sun rises in the east

• Knowing that water freezes at 0°C