Deck 5: Science and Its Pretenders

Question 1

A system is irreducibly complex if

A) it can't be represented mathematically.
B) it can't be reduced to material objects.
C) it can't function when a part is removed.
D) it is too difficult to understand.

Answer 1

it can't function when a part is removed.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a proof of evolution?

A) Missing gaps in the fossil record
B) More creatures are born than can reproduce
C) Creatures of the same species have different physical characteristics
D) Physical features that increase inclusive fitness are more prominent in later generations

Answer 2

Missing gaps in the fossil record

Question 3

Scope is

A) The dispersion of the phenomenon explained by a hypothesis.
B) The number of diverse phenomenon explained by a hypothesis.
C) The number of novel theories predicted by a hypothesis.
D) The method used by scientists to determine the importance of a hypothesis.

Answer 3

The number of diverse phenomenon explained by a hypothesis.

Question 4

All of the following are criteria of adequacy except

A) Fruitfulness.
B) Simplicity.
C) Conservatism.
D) Beauty.

Question 5

Which one is an example of psychokinesis?

A) Perception of distant objects
B) Perception of future events
C) Spoon bending
D) Mind reading

Question 6

The Criteria of Adequacy

A) are subjective.
B) can be used to rate hypotheses objectively.
C) are relative.
D) can be used to deductively prove a hypothesis.

Question 7

Scope is

A) The amount of predictions made by a hypothesis.
B) The amount of diverse phenomena explained by a hypothesis.
C) The amount of assumptions made by a hypothesis.
D) How well a hypothesis fits with established beliefs.

Question 8

What specific features of a hypothesis do each of the criteria of adequacy-testability, fruitfulness, scope, simplicity, and conservatism-try to measure?

Question 9

Is creationism as good a scientific theory as evolution?

Question 10

Are we justified in believing that there is extrasensory perception?

Question 11

Young earth creationism is unscientific because it is untestable.

Question 12

Uri Geller is the only person to date that was able to prove supernatural abilities.

Question 13

Creationism is a simpler theory than evolution.

Question 14

Both creationism and evolution are testable.

Question 15

The idea that science is an imperialistic ideology that champions a mechanistic, materialistic, and atomistic worldview is often referred to asscientism.

Question 16

Evolution has never been observed.

Question 17

ESP includes telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition.

Question 18

A system is irreducibly complex if it is too complex to understand.

Question 19

It's logically impossible for an irreducibly complex system to have arisen through evolution.