mckaywest11e

Quiz for Sources for Western Society, Chapter 16

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Question

1. Which of these did Copernicus attempt to demonstrate in the excerpt from On the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres (see Document 16-1)?

The exact orbit of the earth around the sun

The nature of the forces that governed motion in the universe

The notion that the earth was in motion and that it was not at the center of the universe

The relative positions of the planets in the Solar System

Correct. The answer is c. Seeking to overcome long-held beliefs, Copernicus began by demonstrating that it was at least possible that the earth did not sit motionless at the center of the universe.

Incorrect. The answer is c. Seeking to overcome long-held beliefs, Copernicus began by demonstrating that it was at least possible that the earth did not sit motionless at the center of the universe.

Question

2. With which of these statements would Francis Bacon have been most likely to agree (see Document 16-2)?

Natural philosophy has rendered the Bible obsolete.

Throughout time, religious zealotry has been the chief enemy of natural philosophy.

All inquiries into nature must begin with the Bible.

There are no genuine inconsistencies between Aristotelian philosophy and Christian theology.

Correct. The answer is b. Bacon traced the conflict between religious zealotry and natural philosophy all the way back to the ancient Greeks.

Incorrect. The answer is b. Bacon traced the conflict between religious zealotry and natural philosophy all the way back to the ancient Greeks.

Question

3. On which of these statements would Frederick the Great (see Document 16-3) and Montesquieu (see Document 16-4) have been most likely to disagree?

Monarchy is not an inherently tyrannical form of government.

Tyranny is just as possible in a republic as a monarchy.

Executive, legislative, and judicial powers should be in the hands of separate individuals or institutions.

The welfare of the people should be the primary concern of government.

Correct. The answer is c. Frederick believed that the relationship of a monarch to his people should be that of the head to the body. Thus, monarchs should possess all decision-making authority. In contrast, Montesquieu believed decision-making authority should be divided.

Incorrect. The answer is c. Frederick believed that the relationship of a monarch to his people should be that of the head to the body. Thus, monarchs should possess all decision-making authority. In contrast, Montesquieu believed decision-making authority should be divided.

Question

4. In Rousseau’s view, what was the ultimate basis of legitimate government action (see Document 16-5)?

The general will

God

The opinion of the majority

The consensus of social and political elites

Correct. The answer is a. In Rousseau’s view, the purpose of government was to put the general will into practice.

Incorrect. The answer is a. In Rousseau’s view, the purpose of government was to put the general will into practice.

Question

5. Voltaire’s argument for religious toleration (see Document 16-6) rests on an assumption that

all religions are false.

Christianity has nothing to teach mankind.

all people are essentially the same.

there is no difference between faith and superstition.

Correct. The answer is c. Voltaire argued that all people were creatures of the same God and that, therefore, people of all religions should treat one another as brothers.

Incorrect. The answer is c. Voltaire argued that all people were creatures of the same God and that, therefore, people of all religions should treat one another as brothers.