Deck 7: Will the Sun Rise Tomorrow?

Question 1

David Hume (1711-1776) challenged us to justify our assumption that

A) objects exist.
B) mathematics is an a priori science.
C) empirical science is an a posteriori science.
D) what's happened in the past will keep on happening.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Induction is persuasive only when it is based on a sufficiently

A) large collection of observations.
B) diverse collection of observations.
C) large and diverse collection of observations.
D) None of the above (Induction is never persuasive.)

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Hume pointed out that there are certain exceptional cases in which predictions can be made without induction. For example, I predict

A) someone will win, unless nobody wins.
B) the sun will rise tomorrow.
C) water is wet.
D) Sam has ten fingers.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Predictions that can legitimately be made without inductions are based on

A) revealed truths in the Bible.
B) necessary truths.
C) certain empirical observations.
D) All of the above

Question 5

The Principle of Uniformity of Nature refers to the fact that

A) all objects behave according to uniform, natural laws.
B) most objects behave according to uniform, natural laws.
C) objects observed in the future will typically conform to patterns observed in the past.
D) objects observed in the future will always conform to patterns observed in the past.

Question 6

Hume questioned our acceptance of the principle of uniformity of nature based on the fact(s) that

A) it doesn't seem to be a necessary truth.
B) it does not seem impossible that the patterns we observed in the past will now break down.
C) using induction in support of the principle of uniformity of nature is circular.
D) All of the above

Question 7

Hume argued that one cannot show a prediction to be correct, or even to be probably correct, using induction because induction depends on

A) the principle of uniformity of nature, which itself depends upon induction.
B) having data that are sufficiently numerous, which are impossible to acquire.
C) having data that are sufficiently varied, which are impossible to acquire.
D) None of the above (Only a priori reasoning has any validity.)

Question 8

In his book Novum Organum, Francis Bacon (1561‒1626) argued that __________ reasoning was central to the scientific method.

A) a priori
B) empirical
C) inductive
D) demonstrative

Question 9

Based on his skepticism regarding inductive reasoning, Hume advised us to

A) give up on inductive reasoning.
B) put all scientific efforts into solving the problem of induction.
C) use only a priori modes of reasoning.
D) continue using inductive reasoning, while acknowledging that there is no rational justification for it.

Question 10

Although Karl Popper (1902-1994) accepted Hume's conclusion regarding inductive reasoning, he responded by arguing that

A) induction is not, in fact, used in good scientific research.
B) induction is only one aspect of good scientific research.
C) all scientific research proceeds from a priori reasoning.
D) we have a shared conception of what constitutes a "reasonable" inference and that to say an inference is "reasonable" is just to say it meets those shared standards.

Question 11

Popper argued that it was crucial for scientists to maintain a "critical attitude," whereby they would

A) be critical regarding all human knowledge.
B) be critical of all scientific theories.
C) actively search for refutations of the prevailing theories.
D) All of the above

Question 12

Popper's critics have argued that he did not have an adequate account of __________ science.

A) applied
B) mathematical
C) evolutionary
D) political

Question 13

Peter Strawson (1919‒2006) responded to Hume's challenge to justify inductive reasoning by arguing that

A) induction is not, in fact, used in good scientific research.
B) induction is only one aspect of good scientific research.
C) all scientific research proceeds from a priori reasoning.
D) we have a shared conception of what constitutes a "reasonable" inference and that to say an inference is "reasonable" is just to say it meets those shared standards.

Question 14

Strawson suggested Hume's question "Are our ordinary standards of reasonableness themselves reasonable?" is analogous to asking the meaningless question:

A) Are the laws of countries themselves legal?
B) Are the constitutions of countries themselves constitutional?
C) Are reasons rational?
D) Is science scientific?

Question 15

Even if it is meaningless to ask whether inductive arguments are reasonable, Hume can respond to Strawson by instead asking whether inductive arguments are

A) reliable.
B) justified.
C) coherent.
D) intelligible.

Question 16

According to Wesley Salmon (1925‒2001), the justification of induction amounts to which of the following arguments?

A) Since science uses induction successfully, it is absurd to be skeptical about it.
B) So long as the data used are sufficiently numerous and varied, induction is justified.
C) To question the validity of induction is to fall prey to the fallacy of begging the question.
D) If you use inductive procedures, you can call yourself "reasonable"-and isn't that nice!

Question 17

Epistemically basic beliefs are beliefs that

A) act as premises in scientific reasoning
B) are warranted without argument.
C) stand at the base of all thinking.
D) All of the above

Question 18

If the principle of uniformity of nature is an epistemically basic belief, it suffices to reply to Hume's challenge by claiming

A) I have not drawn any conclusions, but merely stated my premises.
B) anyone who denies the validity of induction is begging the question.
C) I don't need to provide any justification-the principle of uniformity of nature is just basic.
D) tu quoque.

Question 19

One of the major difficulties regarding epistemically basic beliefs is determining

A) precisely which beliefs are basic.
B) what exactly it means for a belief to be basic.
C) which areas of knowledge make use of basic beliefs.
D) how basic beliefs are related to nonbasic beliefs.

Question 20

Which of the following did Alvin Plantinga (b. 1932) argue is a basic belief?

A) The existence of God
B) Anything that begins to exist must have a cause that produced it
C) Consequentialism
D) Induction

Question 21

Which of the following did G. E. Moore (1873‒1958) argue is a basic belief?

A) The existence of God
B) Anything that begins to exist must have a cause that produced it
C) Consequentialism
D) Induction

Question 22

Until a method is specified for determining which beliefs are basic, philosophers who insist that some of their own views are "basic" are open to the charge of

A) begging the question.
B) arguing ad hominem.
C) arguing in a circle.
D) dogmatism.

Question 23

The following is an example of a(n) __________ argument.
Premise 1: The front door is ajar.
Premise 2: Some of your valuables are missing.
Premise 3: Your draws have been opened, and their contents strewn about.
Premise 4: One of your windows has been broken.
Conclusion: You have been burgled.

A) inductive
B) abductive
C) deductive
D) fallacious

Question 24

Abduction is also called

A) inference to the best explanation.
B) induction.
C) enumerative induction.
D) apodixis.

Question 25

Epistemically basic beliefs are also called

A) foundational beliefs.
B) self-evident truths.
C) axioms.
D) All of the above

Question 26

Using examples, explain abductive argumentation, discussing both its strengths and weaknesses.

Question 27

Explain the principle of uniformity of nature and Hume's criticisms of it.

Question 28

Explain Karl Popper's account of scientific methodology. How does applied science pose a challenge to this account?

Question 29

Explain the concept of an epistemically basic belief. What, if anything, distinguishes this from dogmatism?

Question 30

Explain Peter Strawson's "shared standards of reasonableness" argument as a response to Hume's challenge to justify inductive reasoning.