Question 1

Why is a fruitful theory more likely to be true than an unfruitful theory?

Accepted Answer

A fruitful theory is more likely to be true than an unfruitful theory because it has been tested and proven to be effective in explaining and predicting phenomena. A fruitful theory generates new hypotheses and leads to further research and discoveries, while an unfruitful theory fails to provide useful insights or practical applications. Additionally, a fruitful theory is supported by empirical evidence and has withstood the scrutiny of the scientific community, whereas an unfruitful theory lacks empirical support and may be based on flawed assumptions or reasoning. Overall, the track record of a fruitful theory in producing valuable and reliable results makes it more likely to be true compared to an unfruitful theory.

Question 2

The concept of evolution began with…

Accepted Answer

A)   Darwin
B)   Anaximander
C)   Thales
D)   Plato B

Question 3

The criterion of conservatism is a measure of…

Accepted Answer

A)   How well a theory fits with existing knowledge
B)   The amount of diverse phenomena explained
C)   The number of novel predictions made
D)   The number of assumptions made A

Question 4

What is the TEST formula? How is it applied to theories?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the TEST formula? How is...

Question 5

If a theory is testable…

Accepted Answer

A)   It is true
B)   There is some way to determine whether it is true or false
C)   It is more likely to be true than other theories
D)   It cannot predict anything

Question 6

Science seeks to acquire knowledge and understanding of reality through the formulation, testing, and evaluating of…

Accepted Answer

A)   Deductive reasoning
B)   Theories
C)   Technology
D)   Scientific method

Question 7

What is the minimum requirement of consistency? What is the difference between internal and external consistency?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the minimum requirement of consistency?...

Question 8

The fallacious leap to a nonnatural explanation for a phenomenon is an example of the fallacy of…

Accepted Answer

A)   Appeal to ignorance
B)   Begging the question
C)   Straw man
D)   Division

Question 9

The standards used to judge the worth of scientific theories are known as…

Accepted Answer

A)   The rules of consistency
B)   The criteria of evaluation
C)   The criteria of adequacy
D)   The scientific method

Question 10

Compared to Ptolemy's geocentric theory, Copernicus's heliocentric theory was…

Accepted Answer

A)   More conservative
B)   Superior in scope
C)   More complicated
D)   Simpler

Question 11

Why are conservative theories more likely to be true than ones that aren't conservative?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are conservative theories more likely to...

Question 12

Science is not…

Accepted Answer

A)   Motivated reasoning
B)   Empirical
C)   Evidence based
D)   Fallible

Question 13

Maintaining a hypothesis in the face of mounting negative evidence is…

Accepted Answer

A)   Unreasonable
B)   Impossible
C)   Acceptable
D)   Reasonable

Question 14

In most cases, a single scientific study, a small study, or a case study…

Accepted Answer

A)   Can yield strong evidence of cause and effect
B)   Cannot prove very much
C)   Can prove that a medical treatment works
D)   Are superior to double-blind trials

Question 15

The conditional argument that expresses the logical pattern of disconfirming a hypothesis is called…

Accepted Answer

A)   Modus ponens
B)   Denying the antecedent
C)   Affirming the consequent
D)   Modus tollens

Question 16

What are the criteria of adequacy? How are they used to evaluate theories?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the criteria of adequacy? How...

Question 17

A kind of study that does not treat groups and compare the results is known as …

Accepted Answer

A)   A double-blind trial
B)   A test-tube study
C)   A nonintervention study
D)   A cautionary trial

Question 18

To test a hypothesis, scientists must…

Accepted Answer

A)   Not reason deductively
B)   Accurately predict the outcome of tests
C)   Ignore test implications of the hypothesis
D)   Derive a test implication from the hypothesis

Question 19

The simplest theory is the one that…

Accepted Answer

A)   Is physically possible
B)   Doesn't need to be tested
C)   Makes the fewest assumptions
D)   Is the most beautiful

Question 20

The theory of creationism is…

Accepted Answer

A)   Conservative
B)   Testable
C)   Untestable
D)   Fruitful

Exam 8: Science, Nonscience, and the Media