Question 1

According to Kitcher, a science is successful when it provides the means to numerous, diverse hypothetical ends which would not be easily achieved individually.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

According to Bacon, the first step in a scientific investigation is to carefully define the true nature of the "form" being studied.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

Newton used Bacon's methods in deriving the laws of celestial and terrestrial motion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

Popper views scientific theories as provisionally true.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Copernicus was the first thinker to publicly assert that the earth was not the center of the solar system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

In assessing theories, the more innovative of two theories is preferable.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

If there are theory-neutral observations, then science should show steady progress.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Kuhn's view is that:

Accepted Answer

A)   scientific views only appear to change.
B)   scientific development consists of long periods of calm, punctuated by occasional periods of sudden forward progress.
C)   scientific progress is slow but steady.
D)   the most reasonable scientific view must ultimately triumph.
E)   None of the above

Question 9

The author of our text ultimately agrees with Feyerabend's pluralist viewpoint on scientific truth.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

According to Ken Ham, evolution is a religion. .

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Kuhn says a paradigm succeeds when:

Accepted Answer

A)   it is proven right.
B)   it attracts enough important followers.
C)   enough evidence accumulates in its favor.
D)   it solves all the problems left by its predecessor.
E)   None of the above

Question 12

According to Popper, no scientific theory can ever be conclusively verified.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Bacon tells us how science ought to be conducted, rather than how it actually is.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Kuhn holds that textbooks play no meaningful role in science.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Ackerman's "lost children" example shows that scientists should organize themselves to research as a group, rather than as individuals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

According to Kuhn, a scientific theory is rejected:

Accepted Answer

A)   when a falsifying observation is encountered and publicized.
B)   based on a comparison of the theory with the world.
C)   anytime it begins to produce severe anomalies.
D)   when it produces severe anomalies and an alternative view is available.
E)   under no circumstances.

Question 17

The discovery of a counter-instance to a paradigm:

Accepted Answer

A)   falsifies the paradigm.
B)   will cause the paradigm to be renounced by its followers.
C)   provokes a crisis.
D)   None of the above
E)   All of the above

Question 18

An important characteristic of a paradigm is that is:

Accepted Answer

A)   it must be original enough to attract adherents.
B)   it should be correct, or at least close.
C)   it should resolve all important problems in its field.
D)   it should not be "open-ended."
E)   All of the above

Question 19

According to the author, the most influential of the 19th century social thinkers was:

Accepted Answer

A)   Charles Darwin.
B)   Karl Marx.
C)   Albert Einstein.
D)   Thomas Kuhn.
E)   Francis Bacon.

Question 20

Kuhn showed that paradigm change always takes place within a larger, more inclusive paradigm.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 4: Philosophy of Science

According to Kitcher, a science is successful when it provides the means to numerous, diverse hypothetical ends which would not be easily achieved individually.

According to Bacon, the first step in a scientific investigation is to carefully define the true nature of the "form" being studied.

Newton used Bacon's methods in deriving the laws of celestial and terrestrial motion.

Popper views scientific theories as provisionally true.

Copernicus was the first thinker to publicly assert that the earth was not the center of the solar system.

In assessing theories, the more innovative of two theories is preferable.

If there are theory-neutral observations, then science should show steady progress.

Kuhn's view is that:

The author of our text ultimately agrees with Feyerabend's pluralist viewpoint on scientific truth.

According to Ken Ham, evolution is a religion. .

Kuhn says a paradigm succeeds when:

According to Popper, no scientific theory can ever be conclusively verified.

Bacon tells us how science ought to be conducted, rather than how it actually is.

Kuhn holds that textbooks play no meaningful role in science.

Ackerman's "lost children" example shows that scientists should organize themselves to research as a group, rather than as individuals.

According to Kuhn, a scientific theory is rejected:

The discovery of a counter-instance to a paradigm:

An important characteristic of a paradigm is that is:

According to the author, the most influential of the 19th century social thinkers was:

Kuhn showed that paradigm change always takes place within a larger, more inclusive paradigm.