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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What can observation do for science?

2. What do the constructions of the laws of nature determine?

3. What view does Popper take to analyze scientific thinking?

4. What are the boundaries of conditions?

5. What should the rules of epistemology adhere to?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Popper say about the blind acceptance of auxiliary hypothesis?

2. What is the purpose of empirical systems being consistent and falsifiable?

3. What is the distinction between universal statements and singular statements?

4. How does metaphysics factor into the scientific process?

5. How does Popper define a scientist?

6. What is the falsification of a statement?

7. According to Popper, what should epistemology do?

8. What is the conventionalist view of science?

9. How is causality related to tautological arguments?

10. With regard to universal and singular statements, what does Popper note about symbolic logic?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Popper's discussion on simplicity, he mentions ad hoc hypotheses. Describe in detail what an ad hoc hypothesis is. Can it be used in this framework? Why or why not? What is the purpose of the ad hoc hypotheses? Provide support for you answers from the readings.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the problem of demarcation according to Popper. How does Popper feel about demarcation? How does this issue relate to empirical science? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss what would be considered a good reason for a hypothesis to "drop out", as Popper puts it. Provide a situation or example of this situation.

(see the answer keys)

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