SAT II World History : Greek Philosophies and Innovations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Greek Philosophies And Innovations

Which of these famous Greek individuals is best remembered as a dramatist and a great writer of tragedies?

Possible Answers:

Plato

Pericles

Socrates

Aristotle

Sophocles

Correct answer:

Sophocles

Explanation:

Pericles was a political figure and a leader of Athenian democracy. Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle were all philosophers whose works (and philosophies, in the case of Socrates, from whom we have no extant written works), continue to be immensely influential to this day. Sophocles was a dramatist and a renowned writer of tragedies. The ancient Greeks were known for their tragedies and comedies.

Example Question #2 : Greek Philosophies And Innovations

Which Greek philosopher postulated the notion of “philosopher kings”?

Possible Answers:

Plato 

Pericles 

Aristotle 

Socrates 

Pythagoras 

Correct answer:

Plato 

Explanation:

In his most famous work, The Republic, Plato argues that for Greek society to become truly enlightened, it is necessary for philosophers to be kings, or else that “kings must genuinely and adequately philosophize.”

Example Question #3 : Greek Philosophies And Innovations

Solon is often credited with __________.

Possible Answers:

defeating the Persian navy at the Battle of Salamis

laying the foundations of Greek democracy

fending off the Persian invasion of mainland Greece

establishing positive relations between Athens and Sparta

establishing positive relations between Greece and Rome

Correct answer:

laying the foundations of Greek democracy

Explanation:

Solon was an Athenian statesman in the sixth century BCE. His economic, political, and social reforms were designed to improve the conditions of life in ancient Athens, and although his reforms failed, they are credited with laying the foundations for Greek democracy.

Example Question #4 : Greek Philosophies And Innovations

What name is given to the ancient Greek philosophy that emphasizes the role of people in the world and places reason above piety?

Possible Answers:

Reccesivism

Utilitarianism

Naturalism

Humanism

Populism

Correct answer:

Humanism

Explanation:

Ancient Greece developed many philosophies that continue to influence the world today. One of these is Humanism, the belief that reason is more important than piety and that people, not a deity or deities, were at the center of the universe.

Example Question #5 : Greek Philosophies And Innovations

Epicureanism is the belief that __________ is the most important aspect of life. 

Possible Answers:

secular obedience

logic and rational thinking

the pursuit of pleasure

physical fitness and military training

piety and godly obedience

Correct answer:

the pursuit of pleasure

Explanation:

Epicureanism is a philosophical belief that rejects superstition and divine providence and argues that the pursuit of pleasure is the most important aspect of life. In Epicureanism, the pursuit of pleasure is somewhat removed from a modern philosophy of hedonism; instead, it advocates modest living and actively seeking knowledge as pleasurable pursuits.

Example Question #6 : Greek Philosophies And Innovations

The ancient Greek practice that focuses on challenging established ideas through questioning and logical analysis is called __________.

Possible Answers:

the Socratic Method

the Aristotelian Model

the Platonic Model

the Scientific Method

the Ionian Method

Correct answer:

the Socratic Method

Explanation:

The Socratic Method, developed by the famous Greek philosopher Socrates, focuses on challenging established truth by employing logical reasoning and questioning.

Example Question #7 : Greek Philosophies And Innovations

Which of these Ancient Greek philosophers was most well known for his system of logic? 

Possible Answers:

Herodotus

Aristotle

Socrates

Pericles

Zarathustra

Correct answer:

Aristotle

Explanation:

Aristotle was an Ancient Greek philosopher and a student of Plato. He is most famous for establishing a system of logic that continues to be relevant to this day. The term Aristotelian Logic is named after him and was the dominant form of logical understanding up to the beginning of the Twentieth Century. 

Example Question #8 : Greek Philosophies And Innovations

Diophantus of Alexandria is famously credited with ________________.

Possible Answers:

the invention of algebra

using trigonometry to calculate the movements of planets

the invention of stoicism

designing the Athenian code of law

the invention of the trireme

Correct answer:

the invention of algebra

Explanation:

The Hellenic Period of Greek history was a time of great innovation in politics, economics, philosophy, mathematics, and a great deal else. Diophantus of Alexandria was a Greek mathematician who lived in the third century of the common era. He is often credited with the invention of algebra.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors