Test on Foundational Thinkers: Bacon, Hobbes, Descartes

Question 1: Francis Bacon's Four Idols represent different categories of cognitive biases that he believed hindered objective scientific inquiry.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: Francis Bacon famously called cognitive biases the Four Idols, which included Idols of the Tribe, Idols of the Cave, Idols of the Marketplace, and Idols of the Theatre. By identifying these barriers, Bacon aimed for the psychological removal of such biases to establish empiricism as a vital driver of the Scientific Revolution.

Question 2: In what year was Francis Bacon's significant work, Novum Organum, which introduced the Baconian Method and 'true directions concerning the interpretation of nature', first published?

A. 1605

B. 1620

C. 1623

D. 1582

Explanation: The study materials state that Novum Organum was 'Outlined in his 1620 work, Novum Organum' and also refer to it as 'Novum Organum (1620; "New Instrument")'. It also mentions 'The second part of Bacon’s scheme, the Novum Organum, which had already appeared in 1620'.

Question 3: Francis Bacon was aware of Essex's 1601 plan to seize the queen before the attempt.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The study materials explicitly state that Bacon 'had known nothing of the project' concerning Essex's abortive attempt of 1601 to seize the queen.

Question 4: According to the provided text, what was Bacon's role during the informal trial of Essex in June 1600?

A. He acted as Essex's defense counsel.

B. He served as the queen's learned counsel.

C. He was the chief prosecutor against Essex.

D. He drew up the official report on the affair.

Explanation: The text states that in June 1600, Bacon "found himself as the queen’s learned counsel taking part in the informal trial of his patron." The other options describe roles not attributed to him during this specific event or actions he took later.

Question 5: In Hobbes's political philosophy, the power of the sovereign is considered indivisible and unquestionable.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The study materials state under 'Características del Poder (Absolutismo)' that 'El poder del soberano es indivisible e incuestionable. Si el soberano tuviera límites, se volvería a caer en el caos del estado de naturaleza.' This confirms the indivisible and unquestionable nature of the sovereign's power.