PHIL 1001 EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027 Updated and Verified (8pages)

1. What is philosophy? (a) The study of the nature and meaning of existence, knowledge, morality, and logic. (b) The practice of applying reason and argument to various problems and questions. (c) The art of living well and achieving happiness. (d) All of the above. Answer: (d) 2. Who is considered the father of Western philosophy? (a) Socrates (b) Plato (c) Aristotle (d) Descartes Answer: (a) 3. What is the difference between metaphysics and epistemology? (a) Metaphysics is the study of reality, while epistemology is the study of knowledge. (b) Metaphysics is the study of knowledge, while epistemology is the study of reality. (c) Metaphysics is the study of the physical world, while epistemology is the study of the mental world. (d) Metaphysics is the study of the mental world, while epistemology is the study of the physical world. Answer: (a) 4. What is the difference between rationalism and empiricism? (a) Rationalism is the view that knowledge comes from reason alone, while empiricism is the view that knowledge comes from experience alone. (b) Rationalism is the view that knowledge comes from experience alone, while empiricism is the view that knowledge comes from reason alone. (c) Rationalism is the view that knowledge comes from both reason and experience, while empiricism is the view that knowledge comes from neither reason nor experience. (d) Rationalism is the view that knowledge comes from neither reason nor experience, while empiricism is the view that knowledge comes from both reason and experience. Answer: (a) 5. What is the difference between a priori and a posteriori knowledge? (a) A priori knowledge is knowledge that is independent of experience, while a posteriori knowledge is knowledge that is dependent on experience. (b) A priori knowledge is knowledge that is dependent on experience, while a posteriori knowledge is knowledge that is independent of experience. (c) A priori knowledge is knowledge that is certain, while a posteriori knowledge is knowledge that is uncertain. (d) A priori knowledge is knowledge that is uncertain, while a posteriori knowledge is knowledge that is certain. Answer: (a)