Causation and Probability

Description: This quiz covers the concepts related to causation and probability, exploring the relationship between causes and effects, the notion of probability, and their implications in various fields.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: causation probability philosophy of causality
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Which philosophical school of thought emphasizes the idea that every event has a cause?

  1. Existentialism

  2. Stoicism

  3. Determinism

  4. Utilitarianism


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Determinism is a philosophical doctrine that states that every event, including human action, is ultimately determined by causes that precede it.

What is the term for the probability of an event occurring given that another event has already occurred?

  1. Conditional Probability

  2. Joint Probability

  3. Marginal Probability

  4. Independent Probability


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Conditional probability is the probability of an event occurring given that another event has already occurred. It is denoted as P(A|B).

In the context of causation, what is the difference between a necessary cause and a sufficient cause?

  1. A necessary cause is always sufficient, but a sufficient cause is not always necessary.

  2. A necessary cause is never sufficient, but a sufficient cause is always necessary.

  3. A necessary cause is sometimes sufficient, but a sufficient cause is never necessary.

  4. A necessary cause is sometimes sufficient, and a sufficient cause is sometimes necessary.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A necessary cause is a cause that must occur for an effect to occur, but it may not be the only cause. A sufficient cause is a cause that is enough to produce an effect, but it may not be the only cause.

Which of the following is an example of a probabilistic cause?

  1. Flipping a coin and getting heads

  2. Dropping a glass and it breaking

  3. Eating a certain food and getting sick

  4. Stepping on a nail and getting tetanus


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Flipping a coin and getting heads is an example of a probabilistic cause because the outcome is not certain. There is a 50% chance of getting heads and a 50% chance of getting tails.

What is the term for the probability of two events occurring together?

  1. Conditional Probability

  2. Joint Probability

  3. Marginal Probability

  4. Independent Probability


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Joint probability is the probability of two or more events occurring together. It is denoted as P(A and B).

Which of the following is an example of a deterministic cause?

  1. Flipping a coin and getting heads

  2. Dropping a glass and it breaking

  3. Eating a certain food and getting sick

  4. Stepping on a nail and getting tetanus


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Stepping on a nail and getting tetanus is an example of a deterministic cause because the outcome is certain. If you step on a nail, you will get tetanus.

What is the term for the probability of an event occurring independently of any other event?

  1. Conditional Probability

  2. Joint Probability

  3. Marginal Probability

  4. Independent Probability


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Independent probability is the probability of an event occurring independently of any other event. It is denoted as P(A) or P(B).

Which of the following is an example of an independent cause?

  1. Flipping a coin and getting heads

  2. Dropping a glass and it breaking

  3. Eating a certain food and getting sick

  4. Stepping on a nail and getting tetanus


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Flipping a coin and getting heads is an example of an independent cause because the outcome is not affected by any other event.

What is the difference between correlation and causation?

  1. Correlation implies causation.

  2. Causation implies correlation.

  3. Correlation and causation are the same thing.

  4. Correlation and causation are unrelated.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Correlation and causation are unrelated. Just because two events are correlated does not mean that one causes the other.

Which of the following is an example of a correlation that does not imply causation?

  1. Smoking cigarettes and getting lung cancer

  2. Eating a healthy diet and living longer

  3. Getting more education and earning a higher income

  4. Watching more TV and being less physically active


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Watching more TV and being less physically active is an example of a correlation that does not imply causation. Just because people who watch more TV tend to be less physically active does not mean that watching TV causes people to be less physically active.

What is the term for the probability of an event occurring?

  1. Conditional Probability

  2. Joint Probability

  3. Marginal Probability

  4. Independent Probability


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Marginal probability is the probability of an event occurring. It is denoted as P(A) or P(B).

Which of the following is an example of a necessary cause?

  1. Flipping a coin and getting heads

  2. Dropping a glass and it breaking

  3. Eating a certain food and getting sick

  4. Stepping on a nail and getting tetanus


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Stepping on a nail and getting tetanus is an example of a necessary cause because tetanus is caused by a bacterium that is found in soil. If you step on a nail, you are likely to get tetanus.

What is the term for the probability of two events occurring independently of each other?

  1. Conditional Probability

  2. Joint Probability

  3. Marginal Probability

  4. Independent Probability


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Independent probability is the probability of two events occurring independently of each other. It is denoted as P(A and B) = P(A) * P(B).

Which of the following is an example of a sufficient cause?

  1. Flipping a coin and getting heads

  2. Dropping a glass and it breaking

  3. Eating a certain food and getting sick

  4. Stepping on a nail and getting tetanus


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Eating a certain food and getting sick is an example of a sufficient cause because eating the food is enough to cause the sickness.

What is the term for the probability of an event not occurring?

  1. Conditional Probability

  2. Joint Probability

  3. Marginal Probability

  4. Independent Probability


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Marginal probability is the probability of an event occurring. It is denoted as P(A) or P(B). The probability of an event not occurring is 1 - P(A) or 1 - P(B).

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