"The Argument from Analogy for Other Minds" Self-Quiz

. What does Bertrand Russell set out to do in The Argument from Analogy for Other Minds?

To argue that it is probable that there are no other minds

To defend a sort of solipsism

To argue against solipsism

To suggest a postulate for our belief in other minds

. Which of the following best defines solipsism?

I am only one among many minds

Only the self exists, or at least we can only know that the self exists

Only my mind exists, everyone else is mindless

None of the above

. What difference does Bertrand Russell note between a gramophone and a human being?

Gramophones dont have minds like humans do

There is a difference in the causal laws of observable behavior

Gramophones are responding to stimuli

There is no noteworthy difference, for Russell

. For Russell, what can we infer from the behavior of others that is like our behavior?

We can infer that they are not merely well-designed machines

We can infer that they certainly have minds

We can infer that they probably have minds

For Russell, we cant infer anything from the behavior of others

. Bertrand Russell concludes . . .

That other minds definitely exist.

That other minds definitely dont exist.

That there is a high probability that other minds exist.

That there is a high probability that other minds dont exist.

. Bertrand Russell means to offer an argument that does more than just move us beyond solipsism.

TRUE

FALSE

. The possibility of ingenious machines doesnt bother Bertrand Russell much because there is a difference in the sophistication of their behavior.

TRUE

FALSE

. For Russell, the differences in observable behavior between living and dead matter suffice to prove that other minds exist.

TRUE

FALSE

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