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Rene Descartes, a 16th century Frenchman often regarded as one of the founders of modern philosophy, penned one of its most famous slogans: “I think, therefore I am.” This statement was the conclusion to an approach of systematic doubt, the goal of which was to arrive at a new foundation for knowledge. He might have been able to doubt all the evidence of his senses, Descartes reasoned, but he could not doubt the proposition that he himself existed to do the doubting. His statement might almost be rephrased as: “I doubt, therefore I am.” Yet despite the fact that philosophers since the early 19th century have made heavy use of this conclusion, Descartes in his own day was most influential as a scientist, not a philosopher.
Throughout 16th century Europe, for example, Descartes was well known for his work in physics, geometry, and physiology, and modern scholars still consider him one of the precursors of the scientific revolution. His attempts to use algebra to solve problems of space and motion essentially created the field of analytic geometry, upon which modern applied mathematics is still largely based. Descartes discovered the law of refraction, which explains why straight objects appear bent when immersed partly in water, and was one of the first to theorize that the workings of human bodies can be studied in similar fashion to the workings of machines. Even his “Discourse on Method,” which contained the famous philosophical statement, was intended merely as the framework within which a collection of essays on optics, meteorology, and geometry was to be understood.
Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
A. A historical figure’s career is traced through the successive stages in the development of his ideas.
B. Two competing assessments of a historical figure are presented, and the evidence supporting each is evaluated.
C. A method of inquiry is described, and its application to several scientific problems is demonstrated.
D. A widely accepted view of a historical figure is introduced, and evidence is presented to discredit it.
E. A historical figure’s familiar reputation is introduced, then placed in historical context through an account of his achievements in another field.
Throughout 16th century Europe, for example, Descartes was well known for his work in physics, geometry, and physiology, and modern scholars still consider him one of the precursors of the scientific revolution. His attempts to use algebra to solve problems of space and motion essentially created the field of analytic geometry, upon which modern applied mathematics is still largely based. Descartes discovered the law of refraction, which explains why straight objects appear bent when immersed partly in water, and was one of the first to theorize that the workings of human bodies can be studied in similar fashion to the workings of machines. Even his “Discourse on Method,” which contained the famous philosophical statement, was intended merely as the framework within which a collection of essays on optics, meteorology, and geometry was to be understood.
Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
A. A historical figure’s career is traced through the successive stages in the development of his ideas.
B. Two competing assessments of a historical figure are presented, and the evidence supporting each is evaluated.
C. A method of inquiry is described, and its application to several scientific problems is demonstrated.
D. A widely accepted view of a historical figure is introduced, and evidence is presented to discredit it.
E. A historical figure’s familiar reputation is introduced, then placed in historical context through an account of his achievements in another field.
16 Sep 2014, 01:57
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Official Solution:
Rene Descartes, a 16th century Frenchman often regarded as one of the founders of modern philosophy, penned one of its most famous slogans: “I think, therefore I am.” This statement was the conclusion to an approach of systematic doubt, the goal of which was to arrive at a new foundation for knowledge. He might have been able to doubt all the evidence of his senses, Descartes reasoned, but he could not doubt the proposition that he himself existed to do the doubting. His statement might almost be rephrased as: “I doubt, therefore I am.” Yet despite the fact that philosophers since the early 19th century have made heavy use of this conclusion, Descartes in his own day was most influential as a scientist, not a philosopher.
Throughout 16th century Europe, for example, Descartes was well known for his work in physics, geometry, and physiology, and modern scholars still consider him one of the precursors of the scientific revolution. His attempts to use algebra to solve problems of space and motion essentially created the field of analytic geometry, upon which modern applied mathematics is still largely based. Descartes discovered the law of refraction, which explains why straight objects appear bent when immersed partly in water, and was one of the first to theorize that the workings of human bodies can be studied in similar fashion to the workings of machines. Even his “Discourse on Method,” which contained the famous philosophical statement, was intended merely as the framework within which a collection of essays on optics, meteorology, and geometry was to be understood.
Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
A. A historical figure’s career is traced through the successive stages in the development of his ideas.
B. Two competing assessments of a historical figure are presented, and the evidence supporting each is evaluated.
C. A method of inquiry is described, and its application to several scientific problems is demonstrated.
D. A widely accepted view of a historical figure is introduced, and evidence is presented to discredit it.
E. A historical figure’s familiar reputation is introduced, then placed in historical context through an account of his achievements in another field.
Answer: E. The passage first introduces Descartes as a philosopher and explains his famous statement. It then points out that he was more influential as a scientist during his lifetime. The second paragraph gives examples of his scientific achievements in support.
A. Incorrect. The passage does not follow Descartes’ career from one stage to the next or explain how his ideas changed over time. Instead, it starts with his later philosophical reputation and then looks back at his scientific influence during his lifetime.
B. Incorrect. This choice suggests that the author examines two opposing views to decide which is right. But Descartes’ later reputation as a philosopher does not conflict with his greater scientific influence during his lifetime. Both descriptions can be true; the author does not ask readers to accept one and reject the other.
C. Incorrect. The first paragraph explains Descartes’ reasoning: even if he could doubt what his senses told him, he could not doubt that he existed to do the doubting. The second paragraph describes his scientific achievements, but it does not show him using this reasoning to solve scientific problems.
D. Incorrect. The author does not try to prove that Descartes’ reputation as a philosopher is mistaken. The scientific examples show that he was more influential in science during his lifetime, not that his philosophical work was unimportant or that readers should stop considering him a philosopher.
E. Correct. The “familiar reputation” is Descartes’ reputation as a philosopher, introduced at the beginning. The “achievements in another field” are the scientific accomplishments discussed afterward. These examples help readers understand how his influence during his lifetime differed from his later reputation, without suggesting that this reputation is wrong.
Answer: E
Rene Descartes, a 16th century Frenchman often regarded as one of the founders of modern philosophy, penned one of its most famous slogans: “I think, therefore I am.” This statement was the conclusion to an approach of systematic doubt, the goal of which was to arrive at a new foundation for knowledge. He might have been able to doubt all the evidence of his senses, Descartes reasoned, but he could not doubt the proposition that he himself existed to do the doubting. His statement might almost be rephrased as: “I doubt, therefore I am.” Yet despite the fact that philosophers since the early 19th century have made heavy use of this conclusion, Descartes in his own day was most influential as a scientist, not a philosopher.
Throughout 16th century Europe, for example, Descartes was well known for his work in physics, geometry, and physiology, and modern scholars still consider him one of the precursors of the scientific revolution. His attempts to use algebra to solve problems of space and motion essentially created the field of analytic geometry, upon which modern applied mathematics is still largely based. Descartes discovered the law of refraction, which explains why straight objects appear bent when immersed partly in water, and was one of the first to theorize that the workings of human bodies can be studied in similar fashion to the workings of machines. Even his “Discourse on Method,” which contained the famous philosophical statement, was intended merely as the framework within which a collection of essays on optics, meteorology, and geometry was to be understood.
Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
A. A historical figure’s career is traced through the successive stages in the development of his ideas.
B. Two competing assessments of a historical figure are presented, and the evidence supporting each is evaluated.
C. A method of inquiry is described, and its application to several scientific problems is demonstrated.
D. A widely accepted view of a historical figure is introduced, and evidence is presented to discredit it.
E. A historical figure’s familiar reputation is introduced, then placed in historical context through an account of his achievements in another field.
Answer: E. The passage first introduces Descartes as a philosopher and explains his famous statement. It then points out that he was more influential as a scientist during his lifetime. The second paragraph gives examples of his scientific achievements in support.
A. Incorrect. The passage does not follow Descartes’ career from one stage to the next or explain how his ideas changed over time. Instead, it starts with his later philosophical reputation and then looks back at his scientific influence during his lifetime.
B. Incorrect. This choice suggests that the author examines two opposing views to decide which is right. But Descartes’ later reputation as a philosopher does not conflict with his greater scientific influence during his lifetime. Both descriptions can be true; the author does not ask readers to accept one and reject the other.
C. Incorrect. The first paragraph explains Descartes’ reasoning: even if he could doubt what his senses told him, he could not doubt that he existed to do the doubting. The second paragraph describes his scientific achievements, but it does not show him using this reasoning to solve scientific problems.
D. Incorrect. The author does not try to prove that Descartes’ reputation as a philosopher is mistaken. The scientific examples show that he was more influential in science during his lifetime, not that his philosophical work was unimportant or that readers should stop considering him a philosopher.
E. Correct. The “familiar reputation” is Descartes’ reputation as a philosopher, introduced at the beginning. The “achievements in another field” are the scientific accomplishments discussed afterward. These examples help readers understand how his influence during his lifetime differed from his later reputation, without suggesting that this reputation is wrong.
Answer: E
24 Feb 2015, 03:17
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I think this question is good and helpful.
"these lines" are not clickables. It would be useful to have this feature. Thanks!
"these lines" are not clickables. It would be useful to have this feature. Thanks!
