Questions 11-20
Philosophy in the second half of the 19th century was based more on biology and history than on mathematics and physics. Revolutionary thought drifted away from metaphysics and epistemology and shifted more towards ideologies in science, politics, and sociology. Pragmatism became the most vigorous school of thought in American philosophy during this time, and it continued the empiricist tradition of grounding knowledge on experience and stressing the inductive procedures of experimental science. The three most important pragmatists of this period were the American philosophers Charles Peirce (1839-1914), considered to be the first of the American pragmatists, William James (1842-1910), the first great American psychologist, and John Dewey (1859-1952), who further developed the pragmatic principles of Peirce and James into a comprehensive system of thought that he called “experimental naturalism”, or “instrumentalism”.
Pragmatism was generally critical of traditional western philosophy, especially the notion that there are absolute truths and absolute values. In contrast, Josiah Royce (1855-1916), was a leading American exponent of idealism at this time, who believed in an absolute truth and held that human thought and the external world were unified. Pragmatism called for ideas and theories to be tested in practice, assessing whether they produced desirable or undesirable results. Although pragmatism was popular for a time in Europe, most agree that it epitomized the American faith in know-how and practicality, and the equally American distrust of abstract theories and ideologies. Pragmatism is best understood in its historical and cultural context. It arose during a period of rapid scientific advancement, industrialization, and material progress; a time when the theory of evolution suggested to many thinkers that humanity and society are in a perpetual state of progress. This period also saw a decline in traditional religious beliefs and values. As a result, it became necessary to rethink fundamental ideas about values, religion, science, community, and individuality. Pragmatists regarded all theories and institutions as tentative hypotheses and solutions. According to their critics, the pragmatist’s refusal to affirm any absolutes carried negative implications for society, challenging the foundations of society’s institutions.
11. What is this passage primarily about?
(a) the evolution of philosophy in the second half of the 19th century
(b) the three most important American pragmatists of the late 19th century
(c) the differences between pragmatism and traditional western philosophy
(d) American pragmatism
12. Which of the following is true
(a) idealism was an important part of the pragmatic approach
(b) “pragmatism” was also known as “traditional western philosophy”
(c) pragmatism continued the empiricist tradition
(d) pragmatism is best understood independently of its historical and cultural context
13. Which of the following is true, according to the passage
(a) absolute truths and values are notions in western traditional philosophy
(b) John Dewey was the first great American psychologist
(c) the empiricist tradition is part of traditional western philosophy
(d) revolutionary thought was not pragmatic
14. The phrase “at this time” in line 14 refers to
(a) at the time traditional western philosophy was dominant in America
(b) at the time pragmatism was popular in Europe
(c) 1855-1916
(d) the second half of the 19th century
15. According to the passage, pragmatism was more popular in America than Europe because
(a) Americans had greater acceptance of the theory of evolution
(b) it epitomized the American faith in know-how and practicality
(c) Europe had a more traditional society based on a much longer history
(d) industrialization and material progress was occurring at a faster pace in America at that time
16. The word “ abstract” in line 19 is closest in meaning to
(a) unclear
(b) not concrete
(c) new
(d) old
17. The word “perpetual” in line 22 is closest in meaning to
(a) challenging
(b) continuous
(c) declining
(d) secular
18. The word “fundamental” in line 24 is closest in meaning to
(a) new
(b) personal
(c) essential
(d) threatening
19. All of the following are true EXCEPT
(a) revolutionary thought shifted more towards ideologies in science, politics and sociology
(b) pragmatists regarded all theories and institutions as tentative hypotheses and solutions
(c) Josiah Royce was not a pragmatist
(d) pragmatism was based on the theory of evolution
20. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
(a) Josiah Royce considered Charles Peirce to be challenging the foundations of society’s institutions
(b) Charles Peirce considered Josiah Royce to be too influenced by the theory of evolution
(c) John Dewey would not have developed his system of thought called “experimental naturalism” or “instrumentalism” without the pioneering work of Charles Peirce and William James
(d) Josiah Royce was a revolutionary thinker 共5页: 上一页 [1] 2 [3] [4] [5] 下一页