Aristotle Multiple Choice Questions
1. Aristotle does not criticize ____ in his Book II.
A. Plato
B. Eratosthenes of Cyrene
C. Phaleas of Chalecedon
D. Hippodamus of Miletus
Answer: B. Eratosthenes of Cyrene
2. ___ is NOT given as a criticism of the Spartan constitution.
A. It encourages greed
B. Its system of serfdom is volatile.
C. It gives women too much freedom
D. The overseers are elected almost at random
Answer: A. It encourages greed
3. Aristotle identifies a city with ___.
A. Its constitution
B. the Sum of its citizens
C. Everyone who lives within the city walls
D. Its leader
Answer: A. Its constitution
4. Aristotle considers ___ a just government.
A. Democracy
B. Oligarchy
C. Tyranny
D. Aristocracy
Answer: D. Aristocracy
5. Aristotle does not use the relationship between ___ as an analogy for the relationship between master and slave.
A. King and subject
B. Statesman and citizen
C. Soul and body
D. Craftsman and tool
Answer: B. Statesman and citizen
6. Aristotle considers the relationship analogous to the relationship between husband and wife.
A. King and subject
B. Statesman and citizen
C. Soul and body
D. Craftsman and tool
Answer: B. Statesman and citizen
7. ____ is a fair Aristotelian criticism of Plato’s Republic.
A. In aiming at “Unity” Plato destroys all social differentiation
B. Plato Seeks to abolish private property
C. Plato Wants to destroy family relationships altogether
D. Plato provides no details on the tricky matter of transferring children between classes
Answer: D. Plato provides no details on the tricky matter of transferring children between classes
8. According to Aristotle __ is an unjust government.
A. Democracy
B. Monarchy
C. Politeia
D. Aristocracy
Answer: A. Democracy
9. In the Aristotelian view, ___ is the end goal of a city.
A. Making its citizens wealthy
B. Securing a life of good quality for its citizens
C. Ensuring the survival of its citizens
D. Providing protection for its citizens
Answer: B. Securing a life of good quality for its citizens
10. Aristotle thinks ___ is best form of government
A. Democracy
B. Politeia
C. Aristocracy
D. Monarchy
Answer: B. Politeia
11. The extreme form of oligarchy is ___.
A. Demagoguery
B. Dynasty
C. Aristocracy
D. Tyranny
Answer: A. Demagoguery
12. In a Politeia, consideration is given to ___.
A. Wealth
B. The Masses
C. Wealth and the masses
D. Wealth, the masses and merit
Answer: C. Wealth and the masses
13. ___ is not given as a reason for giving preference to the middle class.
A. It is a mean between the rich and the poor.
B. It is less susceptible to factionalism
C. It best embodies the spirit of friendship necessary to a city
D. It is most likely to encourage a stable economy.
Answer: D. It is most likely to encourage a stable economy.
14. __ is NOT included in Aristotle’s three elements of government.
A. Legislative
B. Executive
C. Judicial
D. Deliberative
Answer: A. Legislative
15. The main cause of constitutional change is ____.
A. Amendments passed by the assembly
B. Powerful factions that oppose the present constitution
C. Steroids
D. A natural process of evolution
Answer: B. Powerful factions that oppose the present constitution
16. As a result of infighting, ___ form of government is most likely to face constitutional change.
A. Aristocracy
B. Democracy
C. Politeia
D. Oligarchy
Answer: D. Oligarchy
17. Aristotle does not list quality as being important to a good public officer.
A. Loyalty to the constitution
B. Good character
C. Completely impartial
D. Highly competent
Answer: C. Completely impartial
18. For preserving an evil tyranny, ___ is NOT given as a recommendation.
A. Breed mutual mistrust.
B. Marry women of many different families
C. Break the will of the people.
D. Render the people incapable of action
Answer: B. Marry women of many different families
19. According to Aristotle, ___ is the best kind of population for a good democracy.
A. Shepherds
B. Shopkeepers
C. Farmers
D. Manual laborers
Answer: C. Farmers
20. Aristotle recommends ___ policy for helping the poor.
A. Handouts of straight cash
B. Block grants to help them buy land
C. Giving those full control of the government
D. Aristotle doesn’t think the poor should be given any help
Answer: B. Block grants to help them buy land
21. The highest good is ___.
A. External goods
B. Goods of the body
C. Goods of the soul
D. Cookies ‘n’ cream
Answer: C. Goods of the soul
22. ___ should NOT be undertaken by citizens
A. Military matters
B. Crafts
C. Government
D. Worship of the gods
Answer: B. Crafts
23. In the three ways in which a person can be made good ___ is not included.
A. Through nature
B. Through habit
C. Through reason
D. Through war
Answer: D. Through war
24. The ideal age gap between men and women in marriage is ___.
A. they should be the same age
B. ten years
C. Nineteen years
D. thirty-two years
Answer: C. Nineteen years
25. Which of the following does Aristotle believe has no practical application?
A. Music
B. Reading and writing
C. Drawing
D. Physical training or gymnastics
Answer: A. Music
26. What is the name for a type of rule when the actual ruling is done by a small group of people?
A. Communism
B. Despotism
C. Oligarchy
D. Tyranny
Answer: C. Oligarchy
27. Aristotle says that some education systems have a tendency to make students less what?
A. thoughtful
B. independent
C. intelligent
D. caring
Answer: B. independent
28. What word is defined by Aristotle as a clarification of the organized system of relationships within a state?
A. Constitution
B. Rule of law
C. governing documents
D. founding documents
Answer: A. Constitution
29. Aristotle says that a king should be highly___ towards his subjects?
A. harsh and available
B. caring and concerned
C. demanding and demeaning
D. affectionate and dominant
Answer: D. affectionate and dominant
30. What word does Aristotle defame as where the pure self-interest of each person correctly corresponds to and serves the purposes of the other?
A. Relational politics
B. Symbiosis
C. Relative politics
D. Matching
Answer: C. Relative politics
31. Aristotle explains that in the Greek city-states, more than one type of what has been used?
A. Constitution
B. Government
C. Laws
D. Citizenship structure
Answer: B. Government
32. Education should be organized on a great scale so that the children can be prepared for life in ways that what?
A. They might never have thought of
B. Their parents might not want them to be
C. They might never have cared about
D. Their parents might not have seen
Answer: D. Their parents might not have seen
33. Aristotle wants people to cultivate the skill of playing instruments and what?
A. Singing
B. Accompanying singers
C. Writing music
D. Creating lyrics
Answer: C. Writing music
34. Aristotle believes that it is possible for a good state to be governed by a monarch that is what?
A. Educated
B. Confident
C. Well-liked
D. Just
Answer: D. Just
35. What word is defined by Aristotle as people within society who participate in giving judgment and holding political office?
A. Political elite
B. Elite
C. Citizens
D. Rulers
Answer: C. Citizens
36. In oligarchies, what is the group that needs special protections?
A. the women
B. the middle-class
C. the children
D. the poor
Answer: D. the poor
37. Aristotle believes that in most societies, there are numerically more of what type of citizens than any other?
A. free poor
B. servant poor
C. Enslaved poor
D. adult poor
Answer: A. Free poor
38. Aristotle says that slaves should only cultivate the virtue of what?
A. thinking
B. obedience
C. acting for themselves
D. free speech
Answer: B. obedience
39. Unarmed and lightly armed combat is typically the preserve of whom, according to Aristotle?
A. the poor
B. the middle-class
C. the young men
D. the women
Answer: A. the poor
40. Who founded the Spartan constitution?
A. Lametogus
B. Lythogus
C. Lawturgus
D. Lycurgus
Answer: D. Lycurgus
41. Aristotle says that marriage needs to take what into account?
A. Politics
B. Social Status
C. Power
D. Wealth
Answer: A. Politics
42. In an oligarchy, Aristotle believes that there are normally what type of requirements on citizenship privileges?
A. Property
B. Active
C. Residence
D. Generational
Answer: A. Property
43. Aristotle says that the poor are commonly left out of serving as a government officials because they are not threatened with ___ for not participating.
A. lack of social standing
B. imprisonment
C. fines
D. punishment
Answer: C. fines
44. Aristotle believes that what resources are important to the location, protection, and defense of the city?
A. mountains
B. water
C. trees
D. ore
Answer: B. water
45. Music is one of the arts which what kind of time is intended to produce?
A. playtime
B. leisure time
C. family time
D. school time
Answer: B. leisure time
46. The proper education for a monarch is the same as that of a man within a state governed by what?
A. Aristocracy
B. Oligarchy
C. Democracy
D. Polity
Answer: D. Polity
47. When a government is seen by the people as being excessive, what will that create?
A. Factions
B. Disparities
C. Patronage
D. Revolutionaries
Answer: A. Factions
48. Democracy is a corruption of what?
A. Communal rule
B. Oligarchy
C. Polity
D. Monarchy
Answer: C. Polity
49. Aristotle says that it is important to treat those who will be soldiers for the state how?
A. with enough property
B. with enough money
C. with respect
D. with enough education
Answer: C. with respect
50. Aristotle says that the best form of constitution is one that contains elements of all the different types of government and creates an analogy between the best constitution and what?
A. A metal alloy
B. A hybrid plant
C. a melting part
D. a cross-bred animal
Answer: A. A metal alloy
51. Which of the following was one of Plato’s nicknames for Aristotle?
A. the thinker
B. master of those that know
C. the philosopher
D. the mind
Answer: D. the mind
52. One major point of Aristotle’s ethical philosophy was that ___.
A. the highest good can be achieved by defining justice
B. ethics and psychology are closely related
C. external goods figure into attaining happiness
D. moral virtue is unattainable
Answer: C. external goods figure into attaining happiness
53. Aristotle set forth that if the dead retain any sense of good and evil, it
A. Is powerful enough to taint the happiness of a living individual
B. is too weak to make a difference in someone’s state of unhappiness
C. Directly correlates to the deceased’s prevailing state of mind right before he died
D. Becomes a free-floating entity that can find a home in anyone seeking enlightenment
Answer: B. is too weak to make a difference in someone’s state of unhappiness
54. The human soul, according to Aristotle, is conditioned by what three factors?
A. Genetics, environment and human action
B. Character, moral values, and emotional context
C. good, evil and indifference
D. Emotions, capacities and dispositions
Answer: D. Emotions, capacities and dispositions
55. The word that describes the middle point between excess and deficiency is the ___.
A. lesser of two evils
B. moral virtue
C. excess/deficiency line
D. virtuous center
Answer: B. moral virtue
56. Aristotle considered involuntary actions as those that ___.
A. Result in the commission of an immoral act
B. Don’t differentiate between right and wrong
C. Are performed as a result of ignorance
D. Are done in ignorance
Answer: C. Are performed as a result of ignorance
55. The word that describes the middle point between excess and deficiency is the ___.
A. lesser of two evils
B. moral virtue
C. excess/deficiency line
D. virtuous center
Answer: B. moral virtue
56. Aristotle considered involuntary actions as those that ___.
A. Result in the commission of an immoral act
B. Don’t differentiate between right and wrong
C. Are performed as a result of ignorance
D. Are done in ignorance
Answer: C. Are performed as a result of ignorance
57. How did Aristotle respond to Socrates’ statement that no man is willingly bad?
A. Man is not the source of his own actions
B. People voluntarily choose to act morally
C. Human action is voluntary; human character is involuntary
D. Men cannot be held responsible for what appears good to them
Answer: B. People voluntarily choose to act morally
58. Courage is a mean between
A. Boastfulness and humility
B. life and death
C. Emotion and detachment
D. fear and recklessness
Answer: D. fear and recklessness
59. The two main obstacles to free choice are
A. Ignorance and coercion
B. Evil and ignorance
C. Consequences and pain
D. Apathy and arrogance
Answer: A. Ignorance and coercion
60. Magnanimity is also known as ___.
A. Ambition
B. High-mindedness
C. Soulfulness
D. Vanity
Answer: B. High-mindedness
61. Aristotle set forth that laws exist only because ___.
A. Men can be guilty of injustice
B. Involuntary acts require swift punishment
C. Righteous indignation is the mean between shamelessness and spite
D. The status and rights of individuals in a democracy are proportionally equal
Answer: A. Men can be guilty of injustice
61. Aristotle set forth that laws exist only because ___.
A. Men can be guilty of injustice
B. Involuntary acts require swift punishment
C. Righteous indignation is the mean between shamelessness and spite
D. The status and rights of individuals in a democracy are proportionally equal
Answer: A. Men can be guilty of injustice
62. According to Aristotle, three conditions must be fulfilled for friendship to exist between two people. One of those conditions is
A. Similar virtue or excellence
B. Expectation of shared material abundance
C. Mutual goodwill
D. One party’s virtue balances the other’s weaknesses
Answer: C. Mutual goodwill
63. Aristotle’s conception of supreme happiness has drawn criticism because ___.
A. Man’s bodily nature prevents him from experiencing the highest form of reason
B. Inner human nature is rooted in survival, not intellectual pursuits
C. Happiness cannot be separated from pain
D. Only a gifted few can realize the highest happiness
Answer: D. Only a gifted few can realize the highest happiness
64. What is authority?
A. The ultimate power in society
B. A government ruled by a few
C. The branch of government that enforces the law.
D. A government’s ability to exercise power without resorting to force
Answer: A. The ultimate power in society
65. Which of the following is the same as a monarchy?
A. Dictatorship
B. Parliamentary government
C. Anarchy
D. Aristocracy
Answer: C. Anarchy
66. Totalitarian government is one extreme type of government. Which of the following is at the other end of the political spectrum?
A. Dictatorship
B. Parliamentary government
C. Anarchy
D. Aristocracy
Answer: B. Parliamentary government
67. What is the difference between direct and representative democracy?
A. The amount of freedom citizens have
B. Elected legislators
C. A king
D. Rule of the people
Answer: A. The amount of freedom citizens have
68. What is the difference between parliamentary and presidential democracy?
A. Election of the executive branch
B. Election of the legislature
C. The court system
D. Extent of government power
Answer: B. Election of the legislature
69. In the percolation-up model, where does political power come from?
A. The ruling class
B. the people
C. constitution
D. religion
Answer: C. constitution
70. The Hellenistic philosophy that most influenced the Middle Ages was:
A. Epicureanism
B. Cynicism
C. Skepticism
D. Neoplatonism
Answer: C. constitution
71. According to Aristotle, the doctrine of the mean does not apply to the situation of___.
A. Confidence in facing danger
B. Enjoying pleasure
C. An act of adultery
D. Giving money to charity
Answer: C. An act of adultery
72. In the reading by James Rachels, he criticizes the cultural differences argument by saying that ___.
A. The premise concerns what people believe, but the conclusion concerns what really is the case.
B. Not everyone accepts the conclusion
C. If everyone accepted this argument, it would lead to rampant immorality.
D. It ignores the fact that cultures differ both in their practices and in their values
Answer: A. The premise concerns what people believe, but the conclusion concerns what really is the case.
73. Which one of the following was not included in Bentham’s hedonic calculus?
A. Intensity: How strong is the pleasure?
B. Duration: How long will the pleasure last?
C. Value: Is the pleasure a lower, physical pleasure or a higher, intellectual pleasure?
D. Extent: How many people will be affected?
Answer: C. Value: Is the pleasure a lower, physical pleasure or a higher, intellectual pleasure?
74. One major point of Aristotle’s ethical philosophy was that
A. Is powerful enough to taint the happiness of a living individual
B. Is too weak to make a difference in someone’s state of Unhappiness
C. Directly correlates to the deceased’s prevailing state of mind right before (s) he died
D. Becomes a free-floating entity that can find a home in anyone seeking enlightenment
Answer: B. Is too weak to make a difference in someone’s state of Unhappiness
75. The human soul, according to Aristotle, is conditioned by what three factors?
A. Genetics, environment and human action
B. Character, moral values, and emotional context
C. Good, evil, and indifference
D. Emotions, capac1t1es and dispositions
Answer: B. Character, moral values and emotional context
76. Aristotle considered involuntary actions as those that ___
A. Result in the commission of an immoral act
B. Don’t differentiate between right and wrong
C. Are performed as a result of ignorance
D. Are donate in ignorance
Answer: C. Are performed as a result of ignorance
76. Aristotle considered involuntary actions as those that ___
A. Result in the commission of an immoral act
B. Don’t differentiate between right and wrong
C. Are performed as a result of ignorance
D. Are donate in ignorance
Answer: C. Are performed as a result of ignorance
77. According to Aristotle, ___ is the best kind of population for a good democracy.
A. Shepherds
B. Shopkeepers
C. Farmers
D. Manual laborers
Answer: C. Farmers
