Exam essay Questions

Midterm Questions

Sample             Question             #1

In this course we have considered the way that people in literate societies – people like us in

twenty-first century Canada, that is – more or less automatically work out abstract questions by using a form of thinking known as categorical analysis. Explain what this means by way of some good examples. In your view, what are the advantages of categorical reasoning? What might be some of the drawbacks?

Sample             Question             #2

“Embedded in every tool is an ideological bias, a predisposition to construct the world as one

thing rather than another, to value one thing over another, to amplify one sense or skill or attitude more loudly than another.” So claims Neil Postman in the essay The Judgment of Thamus. What do you think is the main point that Postman is making here? Please give at least one good example to illustrate your answer.

Sample             Question             #3

Charles Hockett says that one of the design features of spoken language is the fact that with

language we prevaricate, that is, we say things that are untrue. Why do you think Hockett regards the notion that language can be used to deceive is one of its important features and doesn’t actually mention the fact that we can also use language to be truthful?