Question 1

If Kuhn is correct, then:
A) what counts as a fact is socially determined.
B) only theory neutral observations are scientifically valid.
C) science will end when we all accept the same paradigm.
D) experiments are irrelevant to science.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Kuhn's theory of scientific revolutions suggests that scientific facts and observations are not objective and universal, but rather socially determined by the prevailing paradigm or framework of the scientific community at a given time.

Question 2

Kuhn says a paradigm succeeds when:
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

Accepted Answer

Kuhn argues that a paradigm succeeds not necessarily because it is proven right or solves all problems, but because it attracts an enduring group of adherents away from competing modes of scientific activity.

Question 3

Which of the following criteria are not standardly applied when evaluating competing scientific theories?
A) Testability
B) Predictive power
C) Plausibility
D) Simplicity
E) Relevance

Accepted Answer

Plausibility is not a standard criterion for evaluating scientific theories, as it is subjective and not necessarily based on empirical evidence or logical reasoning.

Question 4

Which of the following would Kuhn say was a paradigm?
A) Hypnosis
B) Isaac Newton
C) Newtonian physics
D) Abstract art
E) Astrology

Accepted Answer

Kuhn would say that Newtonian physics represents a paradigm. A paradigm, according to Kuhn, is a framework of concepts, theories, and methods that provide a way of understanding and addressing a particular set of problems within a scientific community. Newtonian physics represents such a framework within physics, which dominated scientific thinking until it was replaced by the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. Hypnosis, abstract art, and astrology do not represent scientific paradigms in the sense that Kuhn uses the term.

Question 5

The point of Ackerman's "lost children" example is to:
A) show that science progresses because of the efforts of a few exceptional individuals.
B) illustrate Kuhn's theory.
C) show how science should be done.
D) show that credit for successes belongs to science as an institution, rather than to individual scientists.
E) show that credit for successes belongs to individuals who employ original techniques.

Accepted Answer

Ackerman's "lost children" example is used to illustrate the idea that credit for scientific successes should be attributed to the collective institution of science rather than to the achievements of individual scientists. This emphasizes the collaborative and cumulative nature of scientific progress.

Question 6

A pre-requisite for the conduct of Normal Science, Kuhn tells us, is:
A) fruitful disagreement among scientists.
B) constant questioning of fundamental assumptions.
C) a shared paradigm among researchers.
D) continual progress from each paradigm to its successor.
E) All of the above

Accepted Answer

According to Kuhn, a shared paradigm among researchers is a necessary condition for normal science. This provides a framework for conducting scientific research, and without a common understanding and agreement on basic principles, scientific progress would be hindered. While fruitful disagreement, questioning of assumptions, and progress to a new paradigm are important aspects of scientific research, they are not pre-requisites for normal science as defined by Kuhn.

Question 7

The period of time between a scientist's rejection of one paradigm and his acceptance of another:
A) is the only time theory neutral observations are possible.
B) is determined by the age of the scientist.
C) is a period of puzzle-solving.
D) occurs during a time of normal science.
E) There is no such period of time.

Accepted Answer

The statement that there is no period of time between a scientist's rejection of one paradigm and his acceptance of another is based on Thomas Kuhn's view of scientific revolutions. According to Kuhn, the transition from one paradigm to another (a paradigm shift) does not involve a period where scientists are without a paradigm. Instead, the shift is often rapid and the new paradigm is adopted as the old one is discarded, leaving no period where theory-neutral observations are possible.

Question 8

Kuhn's view is that:
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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Kuhn's view is that:
A) scientific views only...

Question 9

According to Kuhn, a scientific theory is rejected:
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.

Accepted Answer

According to Kuhn, a scientific theory is rejected when it produces severe anomalies and an alternative view or replacement theory is available. This is known as a scientific revolution or paradigm shift. Kuhn argues that scientific theories are not rejected solely based on the occurrence of falsifying observations or comparisons with the world, but rather when enough anomalies accumulate that the existing theory can no longer be sustained and a new theory becomes more compelling.

Question 10

According to Popper, all observation is:
A) theory neutral.
B) theory laden.
C) unfalsifiable.
D) underdetermined by theory.
E) relative to a particular paradigm.

Accepted Answer

According to Karl Popper, all observation is theory-laden, meaning that what we observe is influenced by the theoretical framework we bring to the observation.

Question 11

Kuhn's view is that science:
A) gives the truth about nature and is progressive.
B) gives the truth about nature and isn't progressive.
C) is progressive, but can't provide the truth about nature.
D) can be progressive if we follow his advice.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of Kuhn's view is that science:
A) gives the...

Question 12

An important characteristic of a paradigm is that is:
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

Accepted Answer

A paradigm must be original enough to attract adherents, as it represents a new way of thinking or a model that guides research and practice within a field. It does not necessarily need to be correct or resolve all problems, nor does it need to be closed-ended.

Question 13

Kuhn says that paradigm change:
A) is an irrational process.
B) consists of a struggle between two competing paradigms.
C) is determined by subjective factors.
D) occurs within a single paradigm.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Kuhn argues that paradigm change occurs when a new paradigm emerges that better explains phenomena than the existing paradigm. This often leads to a struggle between the proponents of the old paradigm and the new paradigm before the new paradigm becomes widely accepted. Therefore, choice B is the best answer.

Question 14

For Popper, science can be distinguished from pseudo-science:
A) only by recognized practitioners of science.
B) because the former is falsifiable.
C) because the latter has been proven false.
D) because all swans are white.
E) because the former fails to make predictions.

Accepted Answer

According to Popper, a scientific theory must be falsifiable, meaning that it can be tested and potentially proven false through empirical observation or experimentation. Pseudo-science, on the other hand, lacks this crucial element of falsifiability and often relies on untestable or unfalsifiable claims. Therefore, the ability to be falsified is what sets true science apart from pseudo-science.

Question 15

According to Kuhn, a scientific revolution:
A) occurs when the old paradigm is proved false.
B) occurs when the new paradigm is proved true.
C) is something that ought to occur, but never does in actual scientific practice.
D) is when a new paradigm builds upon and extends an old one.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Kuhn's concept of a scientific revolution involves a shift from one paradigm to another, where the new paradigm is not necessarily proven true nor the old one proven false. Instead, it's about a change in the fundamental framework through which scientists understand and investigate the world, which doesn't align with any of the given options A through D.

Question 16

According to Kuhn, a progressive accumulation of knowledge takes place:
A) during periods of normal science.
B) during paradigm shifts.
C) during crises.
D) only outside of science.
E) Never

Accepted Answer

Kuhn argues that during periods of normal science, scientists are building upon the existing paradigm and refining it through experimentation and observation. This leads to a progressive accumulation of knowledge within the boundaries of the paradigm.

Question 17

Which of the following is not a technical term of Kuhn's view?
A) Normal science
B) Falsification
C) Scientific revolution
D) Paradigm
E) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Falsification is not a technical term in Kuhn's view. While Kuhn does discuss the role of disproving theories in scientific revolutions, he does not use the specific term "falsification." The other options (A, C, and D) are all technical terms in Kuhn's view.

Question 18

Kuhn denies that:
A) science is progressive.
B) science is an institution.
C) scientific facts change over time.
D) science is productive.
E) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

Kuhn argues that science is not progressive in the sense that there is a linear progression of knowledge from one theory to the next. Instead, he argues that science progresses through a series of revolutions, in which one theory is replaced by another that is fundamentally different.

Question 19

The efforts of a particular scientific researcher should be judged by:
A) his or her success or failure.
B) the success or failure of the research program he or she is taking part in.
C) how well the scientist carries out his or her role in the program.
D) the originality of his or her thought.
E) A scientist's efforts can't be judged.

Accepted Answer

Judging a scientist by their individual success or failure can be unfair as there are many factors that can influence the outcome of a research project. Similarly, judging a scientist solely by the success or failure of the whole research program is also not accurate as it is a collective effort. The originality of thought is important, but it is not the only factor that determines the value of a researcher's contributions. Therefore, the best choice is C, as it focuses on the scientist's role within the research program and how well they carry out their responsibilities. This includes factors such as following scientific methodology, making important contributions to the project, and collaborating effectively with other team members.

Question 20

The discovery of a counter-instance to a paradigm:
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

Accepted Answer

The discovery of a counter-instance to a paradigm provokes a crisis as it challenges the fundamental assumptions and beliefs of the paradigm. This can lead to a re-examination and possible revision of the paradigm, but it does not necessarily falsify or cause immediate renouncement by its followers.

Quiz 4: Philosophy of Science

If Kuhn is correct, then:

Kuhn says a paradigm succeeds when:

Which of the following criteria are not standardly applied when evaluating competing scientific theories?

Which of the following would Kuhn say was a paradigm?

The point of Ackerman's "lost children" example is to:

A pre-requisite for the conduct of Normal Science, Kuhn tells us, is:

The period of time between a scientist's rejection of one paradigm and his acceptance of another:

Kuhn's view is that:

According to Kuhn, a scientific theory is rejected:

According to Popper, all observation is:

Kuhn's view is that science:

An important characteristic of a paradigm is that is:

Kuhn says that paradigm change:

For Popper, science can be distinguished from pseudo-science:

According to Kuhn, a scientific revolution:

According to Kuhn, a progressive accumulation of knowledge takes place:

Which of the following is not a technical term of Kuhn's view?

Kuhn denies that:

The efforts of a particular scientific researcher should be judged by:

The discovery of a counter-instance to a paradigm: