SCI 6140 Science: Historical and Philosophical Perspectives    Fall Term, 2008

Possible long essay questions

Four of these eight will appear on your midterm; you will be asked to answer two of the

four. Each question is worth 25 pts. (50% of the total exam grade).

 

1. Briefly define the two philosophical perspectives we have referred to as "rationalism" and "empiricism" in separate paragraphs. (5 pts. each) For each position develop one major problem associated with that view about the nature of scientific knowledge. (5 pts. each). With reference to the article you read by Sir Karl Popper, which perspective do his views exemplify? Defend your answer. (5 pts.)

 

2. Thomas Kuhn develops a theory of how science develops that has several implications for how science is and should be taught. Briefly discuss the main features of Kuhn's theory of scientific change. (10 pts.) What does Kuhn claim are the objectives of science teaching as revealed by this theory? (5 pts.) What are the implications of Kuhn's views for how science should be taught? Defend your answer. (10 pts.)

 

3. What does Paul Feyerabend mean by his claim that society needs to be defended from science? (10 pts.) Review the details of his two main arguments in separate paragraphs. (5 pts. each) In a final paragraph, critique one of these two arguments. (5 pts.)

 

4. Compare and contrast Thomas Kuhn's and Paul Feyerabend's views on education. Briefly summarize what Kuhn and Feyerabend tell us about how (science) education is currently conducted (5 pts. each). In the context of their articles, what does each author seem to imply about how science education should be conducted? (5 pts. each) Which author presents the better argument? Defend your answer. (5 pts.)

 

5. In the brief article you read by Sir Karl Popper, he claims to have solved the problem of induction. What is the problem of induction? (10 pts.) What is Popper's solution? (10 pts.) Is his solution successful? In a final paragraph critique Popper's solution. (5 pts.)

 

6. What according to Sir Karl Popper distinguishes science from pseudo-science and what is his argument for this claim? (10 pts.) What is one objection Kitcher raises against Popper's views? (10 pts.) Evaluate the cogency of this objection. Is it fatal to Popper's theory or is there a way Popper could respond to this objection? Briefly defend your answer. (5 pts.)

 

7. Philip Kitcher contends, contra advocates of Creation Science, that evolutionary theory is not embraced by biologists on the basis of faith alone. What is the creationist argument he disputes? (5 pts.) Where do creation scientists go wrong according to Kitcher? (10 pts.) What are legitimate considerations for believing in evolutionary theory according to Kitcher? (10 pts.)

 

8. Discuss what features distinguish biology from other sciences according to Ernst Mayr. (10 pts.) How is biology related to other sciences according to Mayr. (10 pts.) What implications, if any, do Mayr's reflections have for the teaching and learning of biology? (5 pts.)