Identity and Change

Description: This quiz aims to test your understanding of the philosophical concept of identity and change, exploring how objects and entities persist over time while undergoing transformations.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: identity change persistence metaphysics
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Which philosopher is primarily associated with the concept of 'identity of indiscernibles'?

  1. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

  2. David Hume

  3. John Locke

  4. Immanuel Kant


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz proposed the principle of the identity of indiscernibles, which states that if two objects share all their properties, they are identical.

In the context of identity and change, what does 'persistence' refer to?

  1. The enduring existence of an object over time

  2. The gradual transformation of an object's properties

  3. The complete alteration of an object's identity

  4. The temporary existence of an object


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Persistence in the context of identity and change refers to the continued existence of an object through time, despite changes in its properties or surroundings.

Which philosophical perspective views change as fundamental and denies the persistence of objects over time?

  1. Heraclitus

  2. Parmenides

  3. Plato

  4. Aristotle


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Heraclitus, a pre-Socratic philosopher, argued that everything is in a state of constant flux and change, and that there is no enduring identity of objects.

What is the 'Ship of Theseus' paradox primarily concerned with?

  1. The nature of identity and change over time

  2. The relationship between mind and body

  3. The existence of free will

  4. The problem of induction


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Ship of Theseus paradox explores the question of whether an object retains its identity if all of its parts are gradually replaced over time.

Which philosopher argued that personal identity is constituted by psychological continuity rather than physical continuity?

  1. John Locke

  2. David Hume

  3. Immanuel Kant

  4. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

John Locke proposed that personal identity is determined by psychological continuity, such as memory and consciousness, rather than physical continuity of the body.

What is the 'Sorites paradox' primarily concerned with?

  1. The gradual change in an object's properties

  2. The relationship between universals and particulars

  3. The problem of induction

  4. The existence of free will


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Sorites paradox explores the question of how gradual changes in an object's properties affect its identity.

Which philosopher argued that objects persist through change by virtue of their underlying substance?

  1. Aristotle

  2. Plato

  3. John Locke

  4. David Hume


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Aristotle proposed the concept of substance as the underlying essence of an object that persists through change.

What is the 'identity of indiscernibles' principle primarily concerned with?

  1. The relationship between universals and particulars

  2. The nature of identity and change over time

  3. The problem of induction

  4. The existence of free will


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The identity of indiscernibles principle states that if two objects share all their properties, they are identical.

Which philosopher argued that personal identity is constituted by the continuity of consciousness?

  1. John Locke

  2. David Hume

  3. Immanuel Kant

  4. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

David Hume argued that personal identity is constituted by the continuity of consciousness, rather than by the continuity of the body or the mind.

What is the 'problem of temporary intrinsics' primarily concerned with?

  1. The relationship between universals and particulars

  2. The nature of identity and change over time

  3. The problem of induction

  4. The existence of free will


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The problem of temporary intrinsics explores the question of how objects can retain their identity through time while undergoing temporary changes in their properties.

Which philosopher argued that objects persist through change by virtue of their spatiotemporal continuity?

  1. Aristotle

  2. Plato

  3. John Locke

  4. David Hume


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Aristotle proposed that objects persist through change by virtue of their spatiotemporal continuity, meaning their continuous existence in space and time.

What is the 'identity through time' problem primarily concerned with?

  1. The relationship between universals and particulars

  2. The nature of identity and change over time

  3. The problem of induction

  4. The existence of free will


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The identity through time problem explores the question of how objects can retain their identity over time despite undergoing changes in their properties or surroundings.

Which philosopher argued that objects persist through change by virtue of their causal continuity?

  1. Aristotle

  2. Plato

  3. John Locke

  4. David Hume


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

David Hume argued that objects persist through change by virtue of their causal continuity, meaning the continuous transmission of causal powers from one moment to the next.

What is the 'problem of future contingents' primarily concerned with?

  1. The relationship between universals and particulars

  2. The nature of identity and change over time

  3. The problem of induction

  4. The existence of free will


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The problem of future contingents explores the question of how objects can retain their identity over time while undergoing changes in their future properties.

Which philosopher argued that objects persist through change by virtue of their underlying essence?

  1. Aristotle

  2. Plato

  3. John Locke

  4. David Hume


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Plato proposed that objects persist through change by virtue of their underlying essence, or 'Form', which remains constant despite changes in the object's properties.

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