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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. From what does methodological rule differ?

2. What does the first rule of logic do?

3. For what purpose are methodological rules developed?

4. According to conventionalism, what is required to make determinations of the natural world?

5. What type of rule do positivists and reductionists adhere to, according to Popper?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Popper view positivism as narrow, limited, and misguided?

2. What are the two conditions that must be met for a statement to be falsifiable?

3. What are three characteristics of theories?

4. What must an experimenter do in order to test a theory?

5. Why is the concept of numerical universality a problem for Popper?

6. What does breaking the investigation of the chain of logical reasoning into steps allow Popper to do?

7. What does Popper classify as being inductive statements?

8. Why does Popper discredit the conventionalist view of science?

9. What is the benefit of singular statements?

10. According to Popper, what should epistemology do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Popper leaves the question of the benefits of more or fewer falsifiers open. Discuss the benefits or drawbacks of more or fewer falsifiers. Based on this information, which do you feel is better? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the structure of subclass relations. How do these structures ensure logical probability? Provide support for your answer from the book.

Essay Topic 3

In one experiment designed to somewhat mimic studies by Compton-Simon and Bothe-Geiger, Popper suggests the use of an "imaginary selection." What is the purpose of this selection?

(see the answer keys)

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