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16 Sep 2014, 01:57
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E
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Difficulty:
45%
(medium)
Question Stats:
46% (00:48) correct
54%
(00:31)
wrong
based on 13
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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. The career of a well-known historical figure is traced chronologically
B. Two opposing perspectives on a well-known historical figure are presented
C. Two fields of study are compared and contrasted
D. A common misconception is introduced, then refuted.
E. A common misconception is introduced, then put in wider context.
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. The career of a well-known historical figure is traced chronologically
B. Two opposing perspectives on a well-known historical figure are presented
C. Two fields of study are compared and contrasted
D. A common misconception is introduced, then refuted.
E. A common misconception is introduced, then put in wider context.
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. The career of a well-known historical figure is traced chronologically
B. Two opposing perspectives on a well-known historical figure are presented
C. Two fields of study are compared and contrasted
D. A common misconception is introduced, then refuted.
E. A common misconception is introduced, then put in wider context.
The passage unfolds in two clear steps:
Instead of denying his philosophical legacy, the author places it within a wider scientific framework. The misconception is not refuted but given fuller context, so the paragraph structure is best described as “introduce a common view, then put it in broader perspective.”
A. The passage is not organized chronologically; it does not track Descartes’ life year by year.
B. It does not present two opposed viewpoints. There is one viewpoint that becomes more complete once additional information is supplied.
C. The author lists Descartes’ work in science and philosophy but does not directly compare the fields to each other.
D. Refutation would require arguing that Descartes was not important as a philosopher, which the author does not do. The passage enlarges rather than overturns the initial view.
E. Correct. A widely held idea (Descartes as mainly a philosopher) is introduced, then the author enlarges the context by adding his scientific achievements.
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. The career of a well-known historical figure is traced chronologically
B. Two opposing perspectives on a well-known historical figure are presented
C. Two fields of study are compared and contrasted
D. A common misconception is introduced, then refuted.
E. A common misconception is introduced, then put in wider context.
The passage unfolds in two clear steps:
- Introduce a familiar, narrow view. The first paragraph presents Descartes as the philosopher famed for “I think, therefore I am.” Readers are invited to see this as the usual, somewhat limited perception of his importance.
- Add broader context. The second paragraph expands the picture, showing that Descartes was regarded in his own century mainly as a scientist and mathematician who founded analytic geometry, described refraction, and studied physiology. His famous philosophical essay served as a preface to scientific work.
Instead of denying his philosophical legacy, the author places it within a wider scientific framework. The misconception is not refuted but given fuller context, so the paragraph structure is best described as “introduce a common view, then put it in broader perspective.”
A. The passage is not organized chronologically; it does not track Descartes’ life year by year.
B. It does not present two opposed viewpoints. There is one viewpoint that becomes more complete once additional information is supplied.
C. The author lists Descartes’ work in science and philosophy but does not directly compare the fields to each other.
D. Refutation would require arguing that Descartes was not important as a philosopher, which the author does not do. The passage enlarges rather than overturns the initial view.
E. Correct. A widely held idea (Descartes as mainly a philosopher) is introduced, then the author enlarges the context by adding his scientific achievements.
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!
