Philosophical Terms Vocabulary Practice (page 2)

Read the following study guide for a concept review: Philosophical Terms Vocabulary Help

Philosophical Terms Vocabulary Practice

Words in Context

The following exercise will help you figure out the meaning of some words from the vocabulary list by reading context clues. After you have read and understood the paragraph, explain the context clues that helped you with the meaning of the vocabulary word. Refer to the answer section at the end of this lesson for an explanation of the clues.

It always inspires me to remember my old teacher. He was one of the few people who really believed we could make the world a better place, and he had this wonderful vision of a future utopia that he was absolutely convinced was inevitable. For him, altruism was not just some abstraction, some big word that you could discuss in a philosophy class and then forget about; it was a way of life. It was a basic tenet of his that each person should do all that they can to help others, and he certainly taught us well enough by his own example. But his pragmatism also kept him well grounded and focused on real solutions to local concerns, and perhaps that is why none of his critics could dismiss him. Many did not understand that the fabulous entertaining he did was all part of his mission and not just some selfish hedonism. Rather, he was motivating and rewarding his team, and you could not leave one of his parties without understanding his unique ideology a little better, resolved to commit even more fully to a life of public service.

Sentence Completion

Insert the correct word from the vocabulary list into the following sentences.

1. The _____ that we based this on is outdated, so we will need a new model for the upcoming project.
2. I know that she is certified as a "healer," but I don't trust her methods—I think she is just a(n)_____.
3. Studying about Chinese culture did not prepare me for the _____ between the two cultures that I experienced when I lived in Shanghai for a year.
4. As an inexperienced writer, her work was replete with _____ , but in time, she learned how to spot and eliminate redundancies.
5. This may sound like a _____, but I think that standing in one place is more tiring than walking.
6. I tried to fill him with hope, the _____ of despair, which is what he has been feeling ever since he lost his job.
7. My favorite science fiction book describes a(n) _____, a place that is perfect in its social, political, and moral characteristics.
8. Sandra's _____ has rubbed off on me, and now I am much more practical in my approach to life.
9. My _____, or ideas about life and work, has been largely infl uenced by my parents.
10. Sophie is known for her _____, as she donates a lot of time to help those in need.
11. One would think that most young people don't adhere to the popular _____ "All humans are mortal, and I am human; therefore, I must be mortal," because they act as if they think they're invincible.
12. One of the _____ (s) of physical science says that no two objects can occupy the same space at the same time.
13. I wish I could abandon all my responsibilities, follow them down there on their vacation, and join them in their carefree _____.
14. It was a(n) _____ opinion, and I had to respect his thorough research, but nonetheless, I still disagreed and thought the procedure should be banned.
15. If we just use a little bit of _____, we should be able to figure out a solution to our problem.
16. It is not just a small _____ mistake; you just introduced me as someone you work with, when we both know that I hired you to work for me.
17. In all the years I have known him, I have never known him to question the _____ of his church.
18. He mocked us and told us we were foolish to spend our time discussing such a(n) _____, but we knew that few things were more important than trying to better understand just what honor really meant.
19. I subscribe to a similar _____, and I also believe that birds have an important purpose that would be well worth understanding.
20. It is amusing to hear some people use so many _____ expressions that they probably have just learned from television.

Sentence Completion

1. paradigm. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
2. empiric. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
3. dichotomy. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
4. tautology. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
5. paradox. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
6. antithesis. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
7. utopia. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
8. pragmatism. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
9. ideology. If you got this question wrong, you may have mistakenly chosen dogma, a close synonym of ideology. However, dogma implies a belief system that is more strictly adhered to, and the context of this sentence indicates that the belief system was only loosely adhered to.
10. altruism. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
11. syllogism. If you got this question wrong, you may have mistakenly chosen logic. It is true that logic is being used in the reasoning of the example but in the unique form of a syllogism. It also would be inappropriate to use logic in the blank because the next phrase asks if the piece of reasoning presented is logical, and thus, it would be somewhat repetitive to use logic.
12. tenet. If you got this question wrong, you may have mistakenly chosen dogma or ideology. Since tenet refers to a specific belief, and dogma and ideology refer to an entire set of beliefs, tenet would be the best answer because this example presents only one specific belief.
13. hedonism. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
14. erudite. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
15. logic. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
16. semantic. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
17. dogma. Here, again, you may have chosen the closely related terms ideology or tenet. Tenet refers to one specific doctrine or teaching. The context of this sentence tells us that, for several years, the man has not questioned his church's teachings, implying that the entire set of beliefs is being discussed. Dogma would be a better choice than ideology, because the man seems to strictly adhere to his church's teachings. The connotation of ideology emphasizes the beliefs themselves, whereas the connotation of dogma stresses required obedience and adherence to the teachings of the religion or group.
18. abstraction. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
19. teleology. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.
20. banal. If you got this question wrong, refer back to the word's definition.

Synonyms

21. d. clue. Paradox means something that is hard to understand because it contains a contradiction. Since clue means a hint or slight indication toward solving some mystery, it is not a synonym.
22. b. statement. Antithesis means the exact opposite of something. Since a statement is a saying or an expression, it is not a synonym.
23. c. using too many words. Semantic means concerning the different meanings of closely related words. Using too many words is not a correct answer because it deals with the number of words involved and not the meanings of the words.
24. a. prejudice. A tenet is a belief, opinion, or principle that a person or an organized group holds to be true and important. A prejudice is a bias against something or a preconception prior to meeting or experiencing it, so it is not a synonym.
25. c. solitude. Hedonism is the belief that pleasure is the most important goal in life. Solitude is the state of being alone and by oneself, so it is not a synonym.
26. c. belief that nature is haphazard. Teleology is the belief that all natural processes and events happen for a reason, directed by some kind of purpose. Haphazard means accidental or careless, so choice c could not be a synonym.
27. d. drawing. Paradigm means a pattern or model, often used to help organize or conceptualize an idea. A drawing could serve the same purpose, but it always refers to a hand-drawn, visual presentation, so it is too specific and narrow to be a synonym.
28. c. tangible. An abstraction is something that is not tangible, so tangible is actually an antonym of abstraction.
29. a. confusion. Logic is the science of using correct reasoning to discover a truth. Confusion is puzzlement or bewilderment, so it is not a synonym.
30. c. discourteous. Erudite means scholarly, learned, and having an extensive knowledge. Discourteous means rude and impolite, so it is not a synonym.

Antonyms

31. dichotomy. Dichotomy means the division of something into two opposite classes or aspects, usually for discussion or analysis, the opposite of the words listed.
32. pragmatism. Pragmatism means belief in the value of being practical, realistic, and useful.
33. empiric. An empiric is someone who begins a practice such as medicine or law without the proper professional education and experience, the opposite of the words listed.
34. banal. Banal means trite, hackneyed, and worn out by overuse, the opposite of the words listed.
35. altruism. Altruism is the unselfish concern for the welfare of others, the opposite of the words listed.
36. tautology. Tautology is the needless repetition of an idea in slightly different words, the opposite of the words listed.
37. utopia. A utopia is an imaginary place of ideal perfection, the opposite of the words listed.
38. erudite. Erudite means scholarly, knowledgeable, and well read, the opposite of the words listed.
39. abstraction. An abstraction is a concept or idea that is theoretical or hypothetical and is not material or physical, the opposite of the words listed.
40. paradox. A paradox is a mystery or something that is unclear, the opposite of the words listed.

Choosing the Right Word

41. hedonism. Hedonism can mean a pleasure-seeking lifestyle. Utopia means an imaginary perfect place.
42. erudite. Erudite means scholarly and knowledgeable. Tautology is the needless repetition of similar meaning words or phrases.
43. altruism. Altruism is the unselfish concern for the welfare of others, and is exemplified by volunteer work in a nursing home. Pragmatism is the attitude or belief that the practical, realistic, and useful are most important.
44. tenet. A tenet is a belief or principle of a person, religion, or school of thought. Antithesis is the exact opposite of something.
45. paradox. A paradox is a mystery, or something that is unclear or not fully understood because of some contradiction. A paradigm is a pattern, example, or model.
46. banal. Banal means worn out by overuse, or trite. Semantic means concerning the slightly different meanings of similar words.
47. syllogism. A syllogism is a specific form of logical reasoning that begins with two premises and derives a conclusion from them. An abstraction is something that does not exist in the physical world, but is rather a concept or theoretical idea.
48. dogma. Dogma is the official set of beliefs and teachings of a religion, political party, or philosophy. Dichotomy means the division of a subject into two opposite classes or aspects for analysis or discussion.
49. logic. Logic is the science of correct reasoning used to discover truths. A paradox is a puzzling statement that is difficult to fully understand because it contains a contradiction.
50. utopia. Utopia means a place of ideal perfection. Empiric means someone who lacks the necessary and proper training and experience to practice a profession.

Crossword Puzzle Solution