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This October, the OUP Philosophy team honors al-Kindī (c. 800-870) as their Philosopher of the Month. Known as the “first philosopher of the Arabs,” al-Kindī was one of the most important mathematicians, physicians, astronomers and philosophers of his time.

The post How much do you know about al‐Kindī? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

Among the world’s most widely studied thinkers, Aristotle established systematic logic and helped to progress scientific investigation in fields as diverse as biology and political theory. But how much do you really know about this ancient philosopher?

The post How well do you know Aristotle? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

This August, the OUP Philosophy team honors René Descartes (1596–1650) as their Philosopher of the Month. Called “The Father of Modern Philosophy” by Hegel, Descartes led the seventeenth-century European intellectual revolution which laid down the philosophical foundations for the modern scientific age.

The post How much do you know about René Descartes? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

On August 5, Rio de Janeiro will welcome the 2016 Summer Olympics, becoming the first South American city to ever host the Games. Before you attend that Olympics viewing party, why not brush up on your trivia game with our quiz below?

The post How much of an Olympics fan are you? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

On August 5, Rio de Janeiro will welcome the 2016 Summer Olympics, becoming the first South American city to ever host the Games. Before you attend that Olympics viewing party, why not brush up on your trivia game with our quiz below?

The post How much of an Olympics fan are you? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

Milton Friedman is regarded as one of the most prominent economists of the twentieth century, contributing to both economic theory and policy. 31st July is his birthday, and this year marks 10 years since his death, and 40 years since he won the Nobel Prize for Economics for his contributions to consumption analysis and to monetary theory and history.

The post How much do you know about Milton Friedman? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

An astronomer, mathematician, philosopher, and active public figure, Hypatia played a leading role in Alexandrian civic affairs. Her public lectures were popular, and her technical contributions to geometry, astronomy, number theory, and philosophy made Hypatia a highly regarded teacher and scholar.

The post How much do you know about Hypatia? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

This May, the OUP Philosophy team honors Thomas Hobbes (April 5, 1588 – December 4, 1679) as their Philosopher of the Month. Hobbes is remembered as the author of one of the greatest of books on political philosophy ever written, Leviathan, in which he argued with a precision reached by few other thinkers.

The post How well do you know Thomas Hobbes? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

Marvel Super Heroes Personality Quiz

In the spirit of being a reading superhero for this year’s Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge, I’ve created a quiz to help you find your inner superhero based on The Avengers.

So what do you think? Would you be the great Captain America, the powerful and Incredible Hulk, the god of lightning, Thor, the ultimate fighting machine, Iron Man, or the expert spy, Black Widow? Answer the questions below and find out for yourself.

1. Which characteristic do you relate to the most? a) Loyalty. b) Patience. c) Leadership. d) Genius. e) Athleticism.
2. Your favorite color is . . . a) blue. b) green. c) red. d) yellow. e) black.
3. If you saw an old lady crossing the street with heavy bags, you would . . .  a) help her carry her bags because it’s the polite thing to do. b) smash all the cars around her to make sure she gets across the street safely. c) send someone to go help her. d) pick her and her bags up and fly her across the street. e) you want to help but you really can’t because you’re already running late.
4. If you could have any super power in the world, it would be . . . a) phenomenal endurance and fast brain capacity. b) great size and strength. c) ability to control thunder and lightning. d) flying e) amazing speed and agility… all natural talent.
5. If you were stranded on an island, what would you choose to have with you? a) A strong shield. b) Nothing! Just my hands will do. c) A box of matches. d) Flashlight. e) A knife.
6. What is your favorite school subject? a) History. b) Science. c) English. d) Math. e) Gym.
7. Pick the book series you like most. a)I Survived by Lauren Tarshis. b) The Quantum League by Matthew J. Kirby. c) Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. d) Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey. e) Lawless by Jeffrey Salane.
8. What is your spirit animal? a) Falcon. b) Panda. c) Lion. d) Wolf. e) Leopard.
9. What are you good at? a) Being popular. b) Watching TV. c) Giving advice to my friends. d) Getting good grades at school. e) Pretty much everything.
10. If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be? a) Vanilla. b) Chunky Monkey. c) Cookies and Cream. d) Coffee Caramel. e) Strawberry Shortcake.
11. Would you rather… a) use your power for good. b) keep your power a secret. c) use your power to rule the world. d) show off your power to your friends. e) use your power for evil.

Answers:

If you picked mostly A’s, you are Captain America!
You are a brave soul who is never afraid to stand up for your beliefs. Your friends know you are loyal and trustworthy so they have a tendency to tell you their deepest thoughts and secrets, which of course, you never tell!

If you picked mostly B’s, you are the Incredible Hulk!
People think you’re kind of crazy on the outside, but really, you’re just a regular person with a big kind heart. Your friends love having you around because you’re smart, honest, and humble. You pretty much never brag about your awesomeness because it speaks for itself.

If you picked mostly C’s, you are Thor!
You have a commanding presence accompanied by sound judgement. People trust you to always do and say the right thing, which is why all your friends want you in their circle of trust. What can I say? You’re a natural leader!

If you picked mostly D’s, you are Iron Man!
You are a fearless, sophisticated genius and you know it. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of confidence especially when your confidence is contagious. People flock to you because they want to be you. Friends love you because you inspire them. Keep up the good work!

If you picked mostly E’s, you are the Black Widow.
Although rumored to be an enemy, you’re actually spirited and loving. You care a lot for the people you love and will do anything in your power to make them happy and keep them safe. Did I mention your alter ego is also really beautiful? Yup, that’s you!

Which superhero are you? Drop a Comment below to let us know who you got.

-Sandy

This January, the OUP Philosophy team has chosen David Hume as their Philosopher of the Month. Born in Edinburgh, Hume is considered a founding figure of empiricism and the most significant philosopher of the Scottish Enlightenment. With its strong critique of contemporary metaphysics, Hume’s 'Treatise of Human Nature' (1739–40) cleared the way for a genuinely empirical account of human understanding.

The post How well do you know David Hume? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

This January, the OUP Philosophy team has chosen Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret (G.E.M.) Anscombe as their Philosopher of the Month. G.E.M. Anscombe (1919 - 2001) was a British analytical philosopher best known for her contributions in the fields of philosophy of the mind, action, language, logic, and ethics. Test your knowledge of this famous female philosopher.

The post Test your knowledge of G.E.M. Anscombe appeared first on OUPblog.

Though caused by microscopic agents, infectious diseases have played an outsized role in human history. They have shaped societies, lent us words and metaphors, and turned the tide of wars. Humans have eliminated some diseases, but others continue to plague us. In this quiz, find out if confusion is contagious or if you’re immune to the challenge.

The post Name that plague! [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

This December, the OUP Philosophy team has chosen Baruch Spinoza as their Philosopher of the Month. The seventeenth century philosopher was seen as a controversial figure due to his views on God and religion, leading to excommunication from the Amsterdam Jewish community and his books being banned by the Church.

The post Test your knowledge of Baruch Spinoza [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

The world of wine is developing rapidly, so much so that the updated fourth edition of The Oxford Companion to Wine has added 300 new entries, including wine apps, aromatics, minerality, social media, and tasting notes language. The wine map as a whole has changed with countries like Hong Kong and many in Northern Europe developing as substantial wine producers.

The post How much do you know about wine? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

The magic of fairy tales doesn’t just lie in their romantic landscapes and timeless themes of good against evil. The best fairy tales are always populated with compelling and memorable characters – like the rags-to-riches princess, the gallant prince on horseback set to save the day, or the jealous and lonely evil king or queen. Which famous fairy tale character do you think you’re most like?

The post Which fairy tale character are you? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

Ezra Pound was a major figure in the early modernist movement. During his lifetime he developed close interactions with leading writers and artists, such as Yeats, Ford, Joyce, Lewis, and Eliot. Yet his life was marked by controversy and tragedy, especially during his later years.

The post How well do you know Ezra Pound? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

In the last two hundred years, the concept of human rights has gained prevalence in society. We can define our rights in terms of freedom of speech, privacy, and to be treated humanely, but where did these ideas come from? Do you think you know your human rights?

The post Do you know your human rights? [Quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

If you could be any Disney princess, which one would you be? Take this quiz and find out the answer to that question now. All you have to do is keep track of your answers and then find the reveal below. Good luck, princesses!

1. Two words to describe me are . . . a) cool and extraordinary. b) classy and loving. c) assertive and clever. d) determined and persistent. e) intellectual and quirky.
2. What is your favorite season? a) Winter. b) Spring. c) Summer. d) Fall. e) It doesn’t matter. I love all the seasons!
3. What do you fear the most? a) Global warming. b) Bullies. c) Weird noises at night. d) Getting bad grades in school. e) Not having enough books to read.
4. If you could have any one of these animals as a pet, which would you choose? a) Penguin. b) Mouse. c) Cat. d) Lizard. e) Horse.
5. In your free time, you like to . . . a) play fun games with your siblings. b) hang out with your pets. c) go exploring in the backyard. d) watch TV at home. e) relax and read a book.
6. What qualities will your prince have? a) Ssph . . . Who cares? I don’t need a prince anyway. b) Charm. c) An adventurous spirit. d) Bravery. e) Intelligence.
7. When you grow up, you want to be . . . a) an architect. b) a fashion designer. c) a pilot. d) a hair stylist. e) a librarian.
8. Your go-to hairdo is . . . a) a cool braid. b) just tied back in a ponytail. c) pulled back with a headband. d) long and straight. e) a messy bun.
9. Which awesome female celebrity do you relate to the most? a) Taylor Swift. b) Elle Fanning. c) Selena Gomez. d) Dove Cameron. e) Emma Watson.
10. Which is your favorite quote? a) “Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can do.” – John Wooden  b) “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” – Epictetus  c) “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it The Present.” – Eleanor Roosevelt  d) “You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne  e) “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go!” – Dr. Seuss
11. What is your favorite subject? a) Science. b) Music. c) Geography. d) Art. e) Reading.

Read on for your Princess personality Quiz results! If you picked . . .

Mostly A’s, you are Elsa!
You have a courageous spirit and you put the people you love first before yourself. All your friends admire you because you follow your heart.

Mostly B’s, you are Cinderella!
You are a classic princess who is kind. You have a deep love for all living things especially cute animals.

Mostly C’s, you are Jasmine!
You are adventurous and you love to travel. Your friends love you because you are down-to-earth and smart.

Mostly D’s, you are Rapunzel!
You are determined and independent. You don’t need friends around to be happy, but they come to you anyway because you’re so cool.

Mostly E’s you are Belle!
You are smart, witty, and you love to read books. Everyone loves you because you have amazing positive energy and you inspire them.

Which princess did you get? Let us know with a Comment below!

-Sandy, STACKS Staffer

This October, the OUP Philosophy team has chosen Karl Marx as their Philosopher of the Month. Karl Marx was an economist and philosopher best known for 'The Communist Manifesto' and 'Das Kapital'. Although sometimes misconstrued, his work has influenced various political leaders including Mao Zedong, Che Guevara, and the 14th Dalai Lama.

The post How well do you know Karl Marx? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

To most of us, good scientific research is often defined by the “eureka” moment – the moment at which a successful result is discovered. We tend to only glorify research that leads us to definite solutions and we tend to only praise the scientists that are responsible for this research. In turn, many of the failures and blunders that precede scientific achievements are overlooked. However, these numerous mistakes and false findings during the pursuit of answers are vital to the learning process and therefore to scientific success. Take the quiz below to find out how much you know about mistakes that led to success. It’s okay to fail!

The post How much do you know about failure? appeared first on OUPblog.

The history of soda is full of Norman Rockwell paintings, nostalgic Americana, athletes and other celebrities—so many familiar faces that soda companies seem like the industry next door. But these are the same companies that use municipal water supplies in drought-stricken areas and spend large amounts of money on lobbying. So how much do you actually know about the soda industry? Take the quiz and find out.

The post How well do you know the soda industry? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

This September, the OUP Philosophy team have chosen Hannah Arendt as their Philosopher of the Month. Hannah Arendt was a German political theorist and philosopher best known for coining the term “the banality of evil.” She was also the author of various influential political philosophy books.

The post How much do you know about Hannah Arendt? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

Did you know that out of a total of 981 characters from Shakespeare’s plays, only around 150 characters are women? There is an ongoing debate concerning what truly qualifies a character as female, but this ratio of male to female characters is nevertheless astounding.

The post Which Shakespearean heroine are you? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

It's fun to read Shakespearean plays, but watching our most beloved scenes on stage or screen makes the characters and the plots even more engaging. Reading the scene in which Juliet wakes up to find her Romeo dead is indeed tragic, but watching Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio lock eyes right before he dies is heart-wrenching. Gazing, unable to reach through the screen and offer help, as Ralph Fiennes is outnumbered and murdered in his directorial debut, Coriolanus, is unparalleled.

The post How well do you know the film adaptations of Shakespeare’s work? [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.

In April this year, we questioned whether or not you could match the quote to the philosopher who said it. After demonstrating your impressive knowledge of philosophical quotations, we've come back to test your philosophy knowledge again. In this second installment of the quiz, we ask you if you can make the distinction between Aquinas, Hume, Sophocles, and Descartes?

The post Can you match the quote to the philosopher? Part two [quiz] appeared first on OUPblog.