Reader's Digest - USA (2019-08)

WORD POWER

The Genius Section

MEANINGFUL PHILOSOPHY

BY Rob Lutes

1. assumption – A: theory that the
   simplest explanation is the most
   likely one. B: slippery-slope
   argument. C: the act of taking
   something for granted.


2. altruistic – A: demonstrating
   great intellectual ability. B: showing
   unselfish concern for others.
   C: believing all things are true.


3. aestheticism – A: devotion to
   beauty. B: study of the human form.
   C: use of narcotics to seek truth.


4. consensus – A: notion that we
   can know nothing. B: acceptance
   of reason as the source of truth.
   C: agreement reached by a group
   as a whole.


5. ethics – A: logical conclusion.
   B: moral principles.
   C: elaborate argument.


6. fallacy – A: change of opinion.
   B: mistaken idea. C: a paradox.


7. empirical – A: verifiable by
   observation. B: meant to control

vast populations. C: understood

only through faith.

8. absurdism – belief that
   A: time does not exist.
   B: the world is ending.
   C: the universe has no purpose.


9. hedonist – person who
   A: values the pursuit of
   pleasure above all else. B: believes
   happiness is unattainable.
   C: follows a doctrine blindly.


10. utopian – A: unoriginal.
    B: elegant in its simplicity.
    C: impossibly ideal.


11. consumerism – A: pursuit of joy
    through eating. B: preoccupation
    with the acquisition of goods.
    C: doctrine advocating free trade.


12. ipso facto – A: by that very fact.
    B: based on what was known at that
    time. C: from that perspective.


13. metaphysics – branch of
    philosophy that deals with
    A: desire. B: human suffering.
    C: the nature of reality.

This month’s quiz features some of the language

philosophers use to articulate their thoughts

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