Exam 1

Question 1

Worldview

Answer 1

Interconnected Systems of belief

Question 2

Aristotelian Worldview

Answer 2

• Geocentric Universe
• Objects have Essential Natures
• Sublunar = Earth->Moon, imperfection
• Superlunar = Moon onward, perfection

Question 3

Evidence

Answer 3

Undeniable Hard Proof

Question 4

Truth

Answer 4

A widely held belief

Question 5

The Truth Wears Off

Answer 5

Article about trials not giving the same results anymore

Question 6

Fact

Answer 6

More Objective than Truth?

Something that actually exists or is true

Question 7

Correspondence Theory of Truth

Answer 7

What makes a true belief true is that it corresponds to an independent objective reality

Question 8

Problems with Correspondence Theory of Truth

Answer 8

• How do we know what this independent objective reality is?
• We get info through our sense, could our senses deceive us?

Question 9

Coherence Theory of Truth

Answer 9

What makes a belief true is that it ties in with other beliefs

Question 10

Problems with Coherence Theory of Truth

Answer 10

• Truth is relative to group of like-minded thinkers or to individuals
• No “right” or “wrong” in truth

Question 11

Representational Theory of Perception

Answer 11

Our senses provide representations of the external world

Question 12

Empirical Facts

Answer 12

Direct Observational Evidence

Question 13

Conceptual/Philisophical Facts

Answer 13

A conviction based on the way you think the world works

Question 14

Falsifiability

Answer 14

An attitude one holds about a theory when one allows for the possibility that the theory could be false

Question 15

Explanation

Answer 15

A desire for a deeper understanding of the world around us

Question 16

Prediction

Answer 16

Make predictions about potential data

Question 17

Why do we need a theory?

Answer 17

• Predict
• Explain/Understand

Question 18

Realist Approach

Answer 18

An adequate theory predicts, explains & reflects the way that things are

Question 19

Instrumentalist Approach

Answer 19

An adequate theory predicts & explains, but whether that theory reflects reality isn’t necessarily important

Question 20

Physical Structure of Aristotelian Worldview (7 items)

Answer 20

1. Geocentric universe with Earth in center
2. Earth spherical and stationary
3. Sublunar Region = Imperfection
4. Superlunar Region = Perfection
5. Sphere of fixed stars
6. Order of planets: Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Stars
7. Celestial Bodies made of Ether

Question 21

Teleological Explanation of AWV

Answer 21

Teleological = Purpose driven, goal oriented

example: rock’s purpose is to fall towards center of Earth

Question 22

Essentialism

Answer 22

Every object has an essential nature which governs the way it behaves

Question 23

Mechanistic Explanations

Answer 23

The way the newtonian world works

Question 24

Confirmation Reasoning

Answer 24

We base predictions on a theory & if those predictions are correct, we take that as confirmation that the theory is correct

Question 25

Disconfirmation Reasoning

Answer 25

We make predictions, and if those predictions turn out not to be true, we take this as disconfirming evidence

Question 26

Reasons for Spherical Earth beliefs (2)

Answer 26

1. Sun, moon and stars rise & set at different times depending on where you're located on Earth 2. As you sail towards land, you see mountains & treetops first, then lower regions

Question 27

Reasons for Stationary Earth beliefs (3)

Answer 27

1. Common Sense 1. it appears that Earth is stationary 2. we can't sense motion of Earth moving, therefore Earth is stationary 3. Earth is large and it's hard to move large objects 2. Objects in motion argument 1. throw marker in air, it should land in front or behind me if Earth is moving. We don't see this, therefore Earth is stationary 3. Stellar Parallax 1. We don't see motion of stars moving, therefore Earth is stationary

Question 28

Reasons for Earth as center of universe beliefs

Answer 28

Earthly elements move toward center of universe Earth = very large, therefore same as above