IB Philosophy – Core Theme Exam Test Questions
And Answers Verified 100% Correct
Libertarianism - ANSWER humans are free to act in any way we choose. The
universe is subject to laws of physics but humans are not
Existentialist phenomenology - ANSWER we can only know the world through out
own subjective experience. Free to choose own destiny
Character vs, Moral Self - ANSWER Character determined by environment
(upbringing, evolutionary psychology etc) Moral self has ability to resist these character
traits. We can deny out character
The Basic Argument (Galen Strawson) - ANSWER Character determines moral self.
To be truly morally responsible, you'd have to be in control of your character. Nothing
can be 'CAUSA SUI' (cause for oneself)
Compatibilism - ANSWER (Soft determinism) maintains a balance between freedom
and ultimate responsibility. Our actions are determined but we are free to choose how to
do that action.
Galen Strawson (compatibilism) - ANSWER It is meaningful to refer to certain actions
as 'free' as this reflects natural human commitment to interpersonal attitudes.
The Ship of Thesus - ANSWER Is the ship still the same 'Ship of thesus' after the
wooden planks have been replaced over time?
Problem of Persistence - ANSWER What types of changes can someone undergo
without 'ceasing to exist'?
Numerical identity - ANSWER whether your earlier/later self is one thing rather than
two (you and your childhood)
Qualitative identity - ANSWER two things being exactly similar (your shape, height,
strength etc)
The Simple View (Dualism) (Plato + Descartes) - ANSWER The persistence of the
soul guarantees identity over time. Theory avoids physical change.
Bodily Continuity (Materialism) - ANSWER The identity of a person is determined
, physically.
John Locke (Bodily Continuity) - ANSWER "we speak of the same oak tree from the
sapling to the full grown tree, but there seems little in common between the two.."
Chain of memory (Thomas Reid) - ANSWER as long as there is a chain of memories,
there is psychological continuity
Teleporter Thought Experiment (Parfit) - ANSWER A new biologically identical replica
made and you are destroyed with same memories (there is continual consciousness). Is
the replica you?
2nd Teleporter Thought Experiment (Parfit) - ANSWER Original kept and replica
made. Who is you?
Thought Experiment (Berard Williams) - ANSWER If you are A, 'you' will choose to be
in B's body and therefore will choose A's body to be tortured. YOU ARE WHEREVER
YOUR MIND IS.
Psychological Contiunuity - ANSWER Identity consists with psychological continuity of
the brain
The Self (Galen Strawson) - ANSWER "..the sense that people have of themselves as
being, specifically a mental presence; a mental someone, single mental thing conscious
subject of experience, has a certain character/personality, in some sense distinct from
all its particular experiences, thoughts and from all other things.."
The Self (Descartes) - ANSWER The subject and object of awareness/knowledge.
Solipsism - ANSWER the position that one's thoughts are the only things to exist
Empiricism - ANSWER basing our knowledge on observed (empirical) evidence
Bundle-Theory of the Self (Hume) - ANSWER Rejects notion of a substance that
underlies our experiences. We are our sensations, feelings, ideas etc.. The self is a
point of view rather than a thing (a bundle of perceptions)
Intersubjectivity - ANSWER we are constituted by the world around us and by the way
we are perceived by other people
Authenticity - ANSWER being true to own personality, spirit and character depsite
external pressures
And Answers Verified 100% Correct
Libertarianism - ANSWER humans are free to act in any way we choose. The
universe is subject to laws of physics but humans are not
Existentialist phenomenology - ANSWER we can only know the world through out
own subjective experience. Free to choose own destiny
Character vs, Moral Self - ANSWER Character determined by environment
(upbringing, evolutionary psychology etc) Moral self has ability to resist these character
traits. We can deny out character
The Basic Argument (Galen Strawson) - ANSWER Character determines moral self.
To be truly morally responsible, you'd have to be in control of your character. Nothing
can be 'CAUSA SUI' (cause for oneself)
Compatibilism - ANSWER (Soft determinism) maintains a balance between freedom
and ultimate responsibility. Our actions are determined but we are free to choose how to
do that action.
Galen Strawson (compatibilism) - ANSWER It is meaningful to refer to certain actions
as 'free' as this reflects natural human commitment to interpersonal attitudes.
The Ship of Thesus - ANSWER Is the ship still the same 'Ship of thesus' after the
wooden planks have been replaced over time?
Problem of Persistence - ANSWER What types of changes can someone undergo
without 'ceasing to exist'?
Numerical identity - ANSWER whether your earlier/later self is one thing rather than
two (you and your childhood)
Qualitative identity - ANSWER two things being exactly similar (your shape, height,
strength etc)
The Simple View (Dualism) (Plato + Descartes) - ANSWER The persistence of the
soul guarantees identity over time. Theory avoids physical change.
Bodily Continuity (Materialism) - ANSWER The identity of a person is determined
, physically.
John Locke (Bodily Continuity) - ANSWER "we speak of the same oak tree from the
sapling to the full grown tree, but there seems little in common between the two.."
Chain of memory (Thomas Reid) - ANSWER as long as there is a chain of memories,
there is psychological continuity
Teleporter Thought Experiment (Parfit) - ANSWER A new biologically identical replica
made and you are destroyed with same memories (there is continual consciousness). Is
the replica you?
2nd Teleporter Thought Experiment (Parfit) - ANSWER Original kept and replica
made. Who is you?
Thought Experiment (Berard Williams) - ANSWER If you are A, 'you' will choose to be
in B's body and therefore will choose A's body to be tortured. YOU ARE WHEREVER
YOUR MIND IS.
Psychological Contiunuity - ANSWER Identity consists with psychological continuity of
the brain
The Self (Galen Strawson) - ANSWER "..the sense that people have of themselves as
being, specifically a mental presence; a mental someone, single mental thing conscious
subject of experience, has a certain character/personality, in some sense distinct from
all its particular experiences, thoughts and from all other things.."
The Self (Descartes) - ANSWER The subject and object of awareness/knowledge.
Solipsism - ANSWER the position that one's thoughts are the only things to exist
Empiricism - ANSWER basing our knowledge on observed (empirical) evidence
Bundle-Theory of the Self (Hume) - ANSWER Rejects notion of a substance that
underlies our experiences. We are our sensations, feelings, ideas etc.. The self is a
point of view rather than a thing (a bundle of perceptions)
Intersubjectivity - ANSWER we are constituted by the world around us and by the way
we are perceived by other people
Authenticity - ANSWER being true to own personality, spirit and character depsite
external pressures
