Philosophy Quiz: Definitions Facts And Values
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Definitions Facts And ValuesQuestion 1 of 20

A parent tells their child, 'It is a fact that lying is wrong.'

Philosophically, what is the most significant issue with the parent's statement?

The statement is self-contradictory, because the claim itself could be a lie.
The statement mischaracterizes a value claim ('lying is wrong') as a factual claim.
The statement makes a factual claim about a definition, which is a category error.
The statement is factually incorrect, as there are situations where lying is widely considered morally permissible.
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Philosophy Quiz

Philosophy Quiz: Definitions Facts And Values

Practice Definitions Facts And Values in Philosophy with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

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This quiz focuses on Definitions Facts And Values, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Philosophy.

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Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

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Question 1

A parent tells their child, 'It is a fact that lying is wrong.'

Philosophically, what is the most significant issue with the parent's statement?

  1. The statement is self-contradictory, because the claim itself could be a lie.
  2. The statement mischaracterizes a value claim ('lying is wrong') as a factual claim. (correct answer)
  3. The statement makes a factual claim about a definition, which is a category error.
  4. The statement is factually incorrect, as there are situations where lying is widely considered morally permissible.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. The core philosophical issue is the conflation of different types of claims. 'Lying is wrong' is a paradigmatic normative, or value, claim. It states what ought not to be done. By prefacing it with 'It is a fact that...', the parent is presenting this value claim as if it were an objective, descriptive feature of the world, like 'It is a fact that the sky is blue.' This move attempts to give the value claim an objective authority it may not possess, blurring the distinction between facts and values (the is-ought distinction). While D is true and represents a common objection to the absolute rule, B points to the more fundamental conceptual error in the statement's framing.

Question 2

A social scientist is criticized for their study on 'community well-being.' The scientist measured this concept by aggregating data on crime rates, median income, and the number of public parks. A critic argues, 'This metric is flawed. It completely ignores social cohesion, residents' sense of belonging, and the strength of local institutions, which are essential to any real understanding of community well-being.'

The critic's objection is best understood as a challenge to:

  1. the facts the scientist gathered regarding crime rates and income.
  2. the value of studying the concept of 'community well-being' in the first place.
  3. the operational definition the scientist used for 'community well-being'. (correct answer)
  4. the factual claim that public parks are positively correlated with well-being.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. The core of the dispute is about how to define a complex, abstract concept ('community well-being') in measurable terms. This process is called operationalization. The scientist has an operational definition (crime rates + income + parks), and the critic argues that this definition is inadequate because it omits crucial components. This is a definitional dispute, not a dispute about the accuracy of the data collected (A), the value of the research topic (B), or a specific factual correlation (D).

Question 3

In a legal proceeding, the prosecution must prove 'the defendant acted with malice.' The prosecution presents evidence that the defendant planned the act for weeks and knew it would cause harm. The defense argues that the defendant suffers from a psychological condition that prevents them from truly understanding the moral quality of their actions, even if they understood the physical consequences.

The central point of contention between the prosecution and the defense is a dispute about:

  1. the facts of what the defendant did and planned.
  2. the value of holding individuals with psychological conditions accountable.
  3. whether the established facts meet the legal definition of 'malice'. (correct answer)
  4. the definition of the psychological condition itself.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. Both sides largely agree on the facts: the defendant planned and executed the act. The disagreement is about whether those facts satisfy the necessary conditions of the legal concept of 'malice'. The prosecution uses a definition where planning and knowledge of harm suffice. The defense argues for a definition that requires an additional element: moral understanding. This is a dispute over the application and boundaries of a specific, technical definition.

Question 4

Consider three separate disagreements:

  1. Two linguists argue whether the word 'literally' can be used to mean 'figuratively' in standard English.

  2. Two economists argue whether a 10% increase in the minimum wage would increase the national unemployment rate.

  3. Two ethicists argue whether it is morally permissible for a country to use autonomous drones in warfare.

Which of these disagreements is most amenable to resolution through empirical investigation, and why?

  1. Disagreement 1, because it can be resolved by consulting authoritative dictionaries and style guides.
  2. Disagreement 2, because it concerns a causal relationship between two measurable economic variables. (correct answer)
  3. Disagreement 3, because one could survey public opinion to determine the prevailing moral view on the issue.
  4. Disagreement 1, because one can analyze large corpuses of text and speech to determine how the word is actually used.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. Disagreement 2 is a factual dispute about a cause-and-effect relationship in the world. While complex, it is the type of question that empirical methods (like analyzing economic data, running studies) are designed to answer. Disagreement 3 is a pure value dispute, which cannot be resolved by facts (surveying opinion tells you what people believe, not what is right). Disagreement 1 is definitional/conventional. While D describes a valid empirical method for descriptive linguistics, the dispute is about what constitutes 'standard English,' a prescriptive or conventional question. However, the economic question in 2 is the most direct and paradigmatic case of a factual dispute resolvable by empirical evidence about the world's causal structure.

Question 5

Two members of a hiring committee are reviewing a candidate.

  • Member A: "The candidate is not qualified. The job description explicitly requires five years of managerial experience, and this person only has four."
  • Member B: "But in those four years, they led a team that increased revenue by 300% and won multiple industry awards. They are clearly the most qualified person we've seen, and we should be flexible with the stated requirements."

Member A's argument rests on a specific interpretation of 'qualified,' while Member B's argument challenges it. How can this difference be characterized?

  1. A bases their argument on facts, while B bases theirs on values.
  2. A adopts a strict definitional approach to 'qualified,' while B adopts a more holistic, value-laden assessment. (correct answer)
  3. Both members are making factual claims, but are emphasizing different facts from the candidate's resume.
  4. A is making a definitional claim, while B is making a factual prediction about the candidate's future performance.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. This is a subtle definitional dispute. Member A defines 'qualified' strictly and formally, as meeting a specific criterion listed in a document. For A, it's a binary check. Member B implicitly rejects this rigid definition, arguing that 'qualified' should be defined by demonstrated ability and success, which is a judgment of value and merit that goes beyond the formal requirements. A's position is not just factual; it rests on the (unstated) value of adhering strictly to pre-set rules. B's position is not just a value claim; it proposes an alternative definition of the key term.

Question 6

Two political analysts are discussing a recent piece of legislation.

  • Jamal: "This new tax law is fundamentally unjust. It places a disproportionate burden on low-income families while providing massive tax breaks for corporations that are already posting record profits."
  • Priya: "I'm not sure 'unjust' is the right word. The law is designed to stimulate investment, which, according to standard economic models, will create jobs and ultimately benefit everyone, including those low-income families. The goal is a more prosperous society overall."

The primary source of disagreement between Jamal and Priya is best described as a conflict between:

  1. two different factual accounts of the tax law's specific provisions.
  2. a value claim about fairness and a factual claim about economic incentives.
  3. two competing definitions of what constitutes a 'just' economic policy. (correct answer)
  4. a valuative judgment based on immediate effects and a valuative judgment based on predicted long-term effects.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. While facts and values are involved, the core of their disagreement is definitional. Jamal defines a 'just' policy in terms of distributive fairness and equity of burden (a deontological or Rawlsian view). Priya implicitly defines a 'just' policy in terms of its overall outcome and utility (a utilitarian view). They are applying different criteria for the concept of 'justice'. Distractor D is plausible, but it's a consequence of their different definitions of justice; the definitional conflict is more fundamental. Distractor B mischaracterizes Priya's statement, which is not purely factual but also contains an implicit value judgment about the desirability of prosperity.

Question 7

A debate is occurring between two individuals, Sam and Taylor, after a new scientific study was published showing that octopuses can solve complex puzzles, recognize individual humans, and engage in what appears to be playful behavior.

  • Sam: "This new evidence confirms that octopuses are highly intelligent, sentient beings."
  • Taylor: "Exactly. And because they are sentient, it is morally wrong for us to farm and eat them."

Which statement best analyzes the relationship between Sam's and Taylor's claims?

  1. Both Sam and Taylor are making purely factual claims based on the new scientific evidence.
  2. Sam's claim is factual, while Taylor's claim is definitional, clarifying the meaning of 'sentient'.
  3. Taylor's value claim is presented as a logical deduction from Sam's factual claim, which exemplifies the is-ought fallacy.
  4. Sam makes a factual inference from the evidence, and Taylor adds a value premise to derive a normative conclusion. (correct answer)
Explanation: The correct answer is D. Sam makes a factual inference ('octopuses are... sentient') based on the empirical evidence provided. Taylor then uses this factual claim ('because they are sentient') and combines it with an unstated value premise (e.g., 'It is wrong to harm sentient beings unnecessarily') to reach a normative conclusion ('it is morally wrong for us to... eat them'). This is a standard form of moral reasoning. Distractor C is incorrect because Taylor's reasoning isn't necessarily a fallacy; it's better described as an enthymeme where the value premise is implied. The 'is-ought fallacy' would be claiming the value conclusion follows from the fact alone, which isn't what Taylor does; he explicitly uses the fact as a premise for his moral conclusion.

Question 8

Two people are arguing about a film.

  • Alex: "The film was incredibly predictable. I knew exactly how it was going to end after the first 20 minutes."
  • Beth: "But that's what made it so satisfying! It followed the classic heroic journey structure perfectly, hitting all the beats you'd expect in a comforting and masterful way."

The disagreement between Alex and Beth arises because they:

  1. agree on a factual property of the film (its predictability) but have opposing value judgments about that property. (correct answer)
  2. have different definitions of the term 'predictable'.
  3. disagree on the factual content of the film's plot.
  4. are both making value judgments, but Alex's is objective while Beth's is subjective.
Explanation: When you encounter disagreements in philosophy, it's crucial to distinguish between factual disputes (about what is the case) and evaluative disputes (about what something's worth or significance is). This question tests your ability to identify the type of philosophical disagreement at play. Alex and Beth actually agree on the facts: both acknowledge that the film follows a predictable pattern. Alex explicitly states the film was "incredibly predictable," and Beth doesn't dispute this—she agrees it "followed the classic heroic journey structure perfectly." Their disagreement isn't about whether the film is predictable, but about whether predictability is good or bad. Alex treats predictability as a flaw, while Beth sees it as a virtue that makes the film "satisfying" and demonstrates "masterful" execution. Choice B is wrong because both speakers use "predictable" in the same way—referring to a foreseeable narrative structure. Choice C misses the mark since they don't disagree about plot content; they agree the film follows familiar patterns. Choice D makes a false distinction—both speakers are making subjective value judgments about the film's merit. There's no indication that either judgment is more "objective" than the other; they're both expressing personal aesthetic preferences about predictability's value. When analyzing philosophical disagreements, always ask yourself: "Are these people disagreeing about the facts of the situation, or are they agreeing on the facts but evaluating them differently?" This distinction between descriptive claims and normative judgments appears frequently in philosophy exams.

Question 9

A city council is debating the installation of a new sculpture in a public park.

  • Councilor Anna: "The proposed sculpture is made of 316-grade stainless steel, stands 40 feet tall, and weighs over 10 tons. Its installation will require a reinforced concrete base, projected to cost the city $50,000."
  • Councilor Ben: "Regardless of its specifications, the piece is an ugly blight on our beautiful park. We have a moral obligation to preserve the natural aesthetic, and this monstrous object violates that."
  • Councilor Carla: "My concern is different. The piece was designed by a generative AI and fabricated by automated machines. Can we truly call something 'art' if it lacks a human artist's intention and touch?"

How are the core issues raised by the three councilors best categorized?

  1. Anna's issue is factual, Ben's is definitional, and Carla's is valuative.
  2. Anna's issue is factual, Ben's is valuative, and Carla's is definitional. (correct answer)
  3. All three are raising factual issues, but they are focusing on different types of facts (physical, aesthetic, and procedural).
  4. Anna is raising a factual issue, while Ben and Carla are both raising valuative issues concerning aesthetic standards.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. Anna's statement consists of verifiable claims about the sculpture's physical properties and cost, making it factual. Ben's statement makes a judgment about the sculpture's aesthetic quality ('ugly blight') and asserts a moral obligation, which is a value claim. Carla's statement questions whether the object meets the criteria for being classified as 'art', which is a definitional issue about the boundaries of a concept.

Question 10

Two historians are debating the legacy of a 19th-century industrialist.

  • Historian Alvarez: "His business practices were ruthless. He created monopolies that crushed small competitors, paid his workers subsistence wages, and used private security to violently break strikes. He was a tyrant."
  • Historian Bove: "But you're ignoring the context. His factories mass-produced goods that raised the general standard of living, his investments in infrastructure built the nation's economy, and his philanthropy endowed universities and hospitals. He was a great captain of industry."

Although the historians are debating facts, the core of their disagreement is most likely rooted in:

  1. a dispute over the definition of the term 'industrialist'.
  2. incompatible sets of historical data regarding the industrialist's actions.
  3. a conflict in the fundamental values they use to evaluate a person's historical significance. (correct answer)
  4. a factual disagreement about the long-term economic effects of the industrialist's actions.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. The historians largely seem to agree on the facts (ruthless practices, but also philanthropic outcomes). Their disagreement stems from the values they prioritize when making a summary judgment. Alvarez values worker rights and fair competition. Bove values overall economic progress and societal benefit. Their conflicting concluding labels ('tyrant' vs. 'captain of industry') are products of these different value systems, not a disagreement about the facts themselves or the definition of 'industrialist'.

Question 11

A philosopher states, 'Claiming that a work of art is 'beautiful' is not to state a fact about the art object itself, like its height or weight. Instead, it is to express one's own positive emotional response and perhaps to encourage others to feel the same way.' This philosopher is proposing a thesis about the nature of a specific category of claims. Which type of dispute would this thesis, if true, render fundamentally irresolvable?

  1. A dispute over the definitional criteria for what qualifies as 'art'.
  2. A dispute over the factual history of a particular painting's creation.
  3. A dispute over whether a specific sculpture is, in fact, beautiful. (correct answer)
  4. A dispute over the monetary value of a famous work of art.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. The philosopher's thesis (a form of expressivism or emotivism) is that claims about beauty are not factual claims about the world but expressions of personal feeling. If this is true, then a dispute over whether a sculpture is 'beautiful' is not a disagreement about a matter of fact that could be resolved. It is merely a clash of feelings or expressions, with no objective truth to be found. Disputes about definitions (A), history (B), or market price (D) are all, in principle, resolvable through argument, evidence, or checking market data.

Question 12

Consider the statement: 'The action was cruel.'

This statement is an example of a 'thick' ethical concept because it simultaneously contains:

  1. a factual component (what was done) and a definitional component (what 'cruel' means).
  2. a descriptive component (implying certain facts about the action) and an evaluative component (condemning the action). (correct answer)
  3. a value component (the speaker's disapproval) and a factual component (the speaker's emotional state).
  4. a definitional component (the criteria for cruelty) and a value component (that cruelty is bad).
Explanation: The correct answer is B. 'Thick' concepts like 'cruel', 'courageous', or 'kind' are distinguished by having both a descriptive and an evaluative dimension entwined. To call an action 'cruel' is to describe it as involving the infliction of suffering (a factual/descriptive matter) and also to condemn it or express a negative value judgment (an evaluative matter). The other options mischaracterize this dual nature. A and D separate the components incorrectly, while C wrongly focuses on the speaker's internal state rather than the properties of the action being judged.

Question 13

Person X argues: 'All observed swans have been white. Therefore, it is highly probable that all swans are white.' Person Y responds: 'I saw a black bird in Australia that everyone called a swan.' Person Z responds: 'Even if all swans are white, that doesn't mean it's a better or more beautiful color for a swan to be.' How do the responses of Y and Z relate to X's original statement?

  1. Y makes a factual counter-claim, while Z makes a definitional objection.
  2. Y makes a definitional objection, while Z introduces an irrelevant value judgment.
  3. Both Y and Z are making factual counter-claims to X's inductive reasoning.
  4. Y makes a factual counter-claim, while Z introduces an irrelevant value judgment. (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests your ability to identify different types of responses to an inductive argument. When analyzing philosophical arguments, you need to distinguish between factual claims, definitional issues, and value judgments. Person X makes an inductive argument from observed evidence to a general conclusion about all swans being white. Person Y's response directly challenges this by presenting a counterexample - claiming to have observed a black swan in Australia. This is a factual counter-claim because Y is disputing X's conclusion with empirical evidence that contradicts it. If true, Y's observation would undermine X's inductive reasoning by providing a case where the pattern doesn't hold. Person Z's response takes a completely different approach. Z doesn't challenge whether all swans are white, but instead makes a comment about the aesthetic or moral value of whiteness versus other colors. This introduces considerations about what's "better" or "more beautiful" - value judgments that are irrelevant to X's factual claim about swan coloration. Answer A is incorrect because Z doesn't make a definitional objection about what counts as a "swan." Answer B reverses the responses - Y isn't questioning definitions but presenting contrary evidence. Answer C is wrong because Z isn't making a factual counter-claim at all, but rather a value judgment about color preferences. The correct answer is D: Y makes a factual counter-claim while Z introduces an irrelevant value judgment. Study tip: When analyzing argument responses, ask yourself: Is this person disputing the facts, questioning definitions, or introducing values? These require different types of responses and have different logical weights.

Question 14

During a discussion about a new novel, two literary critics have the following exchange.

  • Critic A: "The protagonist is not a hero. A hero must be a virtuous character who acts for the good of others, but this protagonist is selfish and acts only for personal gain."
  • Critic B: "I disagree. The modern hero doesn't have to be virtuous. A protagonist who courageously confronts a flawed world and their own inner demons, regardless of their motives, fits the modern definition of a hero."

The two critics are engaged in a debate that is primarily:

  1. Definitional, concerning the necessary and sufficient conditions for a character to be classified as a 'hero'. (correct answer)
  2. Valuative, concerning whether it is better for literature to feature virtuous or flawed protagonists.
  3. Factual, concerning the specific actions the protagonist took in the novel's plot.
  4. Interpretive, concerning the secret motivations behind the protagonist's actions.
Explanation: When you encounter debates about concepts like "hero," "art," or "justice," pay attention to whether the disagreement centers on the meaning of the term itself versus other aspects of the discussion. In this exchange, both critics are fundamentally arguing about what qualifies someone as a "hero." Critic A provides a specific definition: a hero must be virtuous and act for others' benefit. Critic B counters with an alternative definition: a hero need only courageously confront challenges, regardless of virtue or motivation. This is a definitional dispute about the necessary and sufficient conditions for herohood—what criteria must be met for the label to apply. Answer A correctly identifies this as the core disagreement. Answer B is incorrect because neither critic debates whether virtuous or flawed protagonists make for better literature—they're arguing about which type deserves the "hero" label. Answer C misses the mark since they're not discussing specific plot events or actions the protagonist performed. Answer D is wrong because they're not trying to uncover hidden motivations; Critic A explicitly states the protagonist acts for personal gain, and Critic B accepts this while arguing it's irrelevant to hero status. When analyzing philosophical or critical discussions, distinguish between definitional arguments (what does X mean?), evaluative arguments (is X good or bad?), factual disputes (what actually happened?), and interpretive debates (what does X really mean or represent?). Look for key phrases like "must be," "definition of," or competing criteria—these signal definitional disagreements about concepts' boundaries and requirements.

Question 15

An education reformer argues: "Studies show that students who attend schools with mandatory uniform policies have, on average, 15% fewer disciplinary issues. Therefore, to improve student behavior, our district should adopt a mandatory uniform policy." Which of the following statements, if true, would challenge the reformer's reasoning by highlighting a potential confusion between different types of claims?

  1. The studies cited by the reformer were poorly designed and their factual conclusions are unreliable.
  2. Schools that voluntarily adopt uniform policies also tend to have stricter teachers and more engaged parents than schools that do not. (correct answer)
  3. A mandatory uniform policy would impose an unfair financial burden on low-income families, which is a greater harm than the disciplinary issues it might solve.
  4. The definition of 'disciplinary issue' used in the studies was too broad and included minor infractions like tardiness.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. The reformer makes a factual claim (correlation between uniforms and discipline) and draws a causal, prescriptive conclusion from it (adopting uniforms will cause better behavior). Statement B challenges this leap by suggesting the correlation is not causal. It posits that an underlying third factor (school culture, teacher strictness) causes both the uniform policy and the good discipline. This exposes a classic correlation-is-not-causation flaw, a critical distinction within factual reasoning that is often blurred when moving from facts to policy recommendations. A and D challenge the facts themselves, while C introduces a competing value, but B challenges the reasoning that connects the factual claim to the valuative conclusion by questioning the assumed causal fact.

Question 16

A city council is debating the installation of a new sculpture in a public park.

  • Councilor Anna: "The proposed sculpture is made of 316-grade stainless steel, stands 40 feet tall, and weighs over 10 tons. Its installation will require a reinforced concrete base, projected to cost the city $50,000."
  • Councilor Ben: "Regardless of its specifications, the piece is an ugly blight on our beautiful park. We have a moral obligation to preserve the natural aesthetic, and this monstrous object violates that."
  • Councilor Carla: "My concern is different. The piece was designed by a generative AI and fabricated by automated machines. Can we truly call something 'art' if it lacks a human artist's intention and touch?"

How are the core issues raised by the three councilors best categorized?

  1. Anna's issue is factual, Ben's is definitional, and Carla's is valuative.
  2. Anna's issue is factual, Ben's is valuative, and Carla's is definitional. (correct answer)
  3. All three are raising factual issues, but they are focusing on different types of facts (physical, aesthetic, and procedural).
  4. Anna is raising a factual issue, while Ben and Carla are both raising valuative issues concerning aesthetic standards.
Explanation: The correct answer is B. Anna's statement consists of verifiable claims about the sculpture's physical properties and cost, making it factual. Ben's statement makes a judgment about the sculpture's aesthetic quality ('ugly blight') and asserts a moral obligation, which is a value claim. Carla's statement questions whether the object meets the criteria for being classified as 'art', which is a definitional issue about the boundaries of a concept.

Question 17

Two historians are debating the legacy of a 19th-century industrialist.

  • Historian Alvarez: "His business practices were ruthless. He created monopolies that crushed small competitors, paid his workers subsistence wages, and used private security to violently break strikes. He was a tyrant."
  • Historian Bove: "But you're ignoring the context. His factories mass-produced goods that raised the general standard of living, his investments in infrastructure built the nation's economy, and his philanthropy endowed universities and hospitals. He was a great captain of industry."

Although the historians are debating facts, the core of their disagreement is most likely rooted in:

  1. a dispute over the definition of the term 'industrialist'.
  2. incompatible sets of historical data regarding the industrialist's actions.
  3. a conflict in the fundamental values they use to evaluate a person's historical significance. (correct answer)
  4. a factual disagreement about the long-term economic effects of the industrialist's actions.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. The historians largely seem to agree on the facts (ruthless practices, but also philanthropic outcomes). Their disagreement stems from the values they prioritize when making a summary judgment. Alvarez values worker rights and fair competition. Bove values overall economic progress and societal benefit. Their conflicting concluding labels ('tyrant' vs. 'captain of industry') are products of these different value systems, not a disagreement about the facts themselves or the definition of 'industrialist'.

Question 18

A social scientist is criticized for their study on 'community well-being.' The scientist measured this concept by aggregating data on crime rates, median income, and the number of public parks. A critic argues, 'This metric is flawed. It completely ignores social cohesion, residents' sense of belonging, and the strength of local institutions, which are essential to any real understanding of community well-being.'

The critic's objection is best understood as a challenge to:

  1. the facts the scientist gathered regarding crime rates and income.
  2. the value of studying the concept of 'community well-being' in the first place.
  3. the operational definition the scientist used for 'community well-being'. (correct answer)
  4. the factual claim that public parks are positively correlated with well-being.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. The core of the dispute is about how to define a complex, abstract concept ('community well-being') in measurable terms. This process is called operationalization. The scientist has an operational definition (crime rates + income + parks), and the critic argues that this definition is inadequate because it omits crucial components. This is a definitional dispute, not a dispute about the accuracy of the data collected (A), the value of the research topic (B), or a specific factual correlation (D).

Question 19

A philosopher states, 'Claiming that a work of art is 'beautiful' is not to state a fact about the art object itself, like its height or weight. Instead, it is to express one's own positive emotional response and perhaps to encourage others to feel the same way.' This philosopher is proposing a thesis about the nature of a specific category of claims. Which type of dispute would this thesis, if true, render fundamentally irresolvable?

  1. A dispute over the definitional criteria for what qualifies as 'art'.
  2. A dispute over the factual history of a particular painting's creation.
  3. A dispute over whether a specific sculpture is, in fact, beautiful. (correct answer)
  4. A dispute over the monetary value of a famous work of art.
Explanation: The correct answer is C. The philosopher's thesis (a form of expressivism or emotivism) is that claims about beauty are not factual claims about the world but expressions of personal feeling. If this is true, then a dispute over whether a sculpture is 'beautiful' is not a disagreement about a matter of fact that could be resolved. It is merely a clash of feelings or expressions, with no objective truth to be found. Disputes about definitions (A), history (B), or market price (D) are all, in principle, resolvable through argument, evidence, or checking market data.

Question 20

Person X argues: 'All observed swans have been white. Therefore, it is highly probable that all swans are white.' Person Y responds: 'I saw a black bird in Australia that everyone called a swan.' Person Z responds: 'Even if all swans are white, that doesn't mean it's a better or more beautiful color for a swan to be.' How do the responses of Y and Z relate to X's original statement?

  1. Y makes a factual counter-claim, while Z makes a definitional objection.
  2. Y makes a definitional objection, while Z introduces an irrelevant value judgment.
  3. Both Y and Z are making factual counter-claims to X's inductive reasoning.
  4. Y makes a factual counter-claim, while Z introduces an irrelevant value judgment. (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests your ability to identify different types of responses to an inductive argument. When analyzing philosophical arguments, you need to distinguish between factual claims, definitional issues, and value judgments. Person X makes an inductive argument from observed evidence to a general conclusion about all swans being white. Person Y's response directly challenges this by presenting a counterexample - claiming to have observed a black swan in Australia. This is a factual counter-claim because Y is disputing X's conclusion with empirical evidence that contradicts it. If true, Y's observation would undermine X's inductive reasoning by providing a case where the pattern doesn't hold. Person Z's response takes a completely different approach. Z doesn't challenge whether all swans are white, but instead makes a comment about the aesthetic or moral value of whiteness versus other colors. This introduces considerations about what's "better" or "more beautiful" - value judgments that are irrelevant to X's factual claim about swan coloration. Answer A is incorrect because Z doesn't make a definitional objection about what counts as a "swan." Answer B reverses the responses - Y isn't questioning definitions but presenting contrary evidence. Answer C is wrong because Z isn't making a factual counter-claim at all, but rather a value judgment about color preferences. The correct answer is D: Y makes a factual counter-claim while Z introduces an irrelevant value judgment. Study tip: When analyzing argument responses, ask yourself: Is this person disputing the facts, questioning definitions, or introducing values? These require different types of responses and have different logical weights.