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The Problem of Demarcation

Description: The Problem of Demarcation is a philosophical problem that seeks to distinguish between science and non-science. It asks the question: What criteria can be used to determine whether a claim is scientific or not?
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: philosophy epistemology science
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Who is often credited with first explicitly formulating the problem of demarcation?

  1. Karl Popper

  2. David Hume

  3. Immanuel Kant

  4. Thomas Kuhn


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Karl Popper is often credited with first explicitly formulating the problem of demarcation in his book The Logic of Scientific Discovery.

According to Karl Popper, what is the key characteristic of a scientific theory?

  1. It is based on empirical evidence.

  2. It is falsifiable.

  3. It is supported by a consensus of experts.

  4. It is useful in predicting future events.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

According to Karl Popper, the key characteristic of a scientific theory is that it is falsifiable, meaning that it can be tested and potentially refuted by empirical evidence.

What is the name of the logical fallacy that occurs when someone claims that a theory is true because it has not yet been proven false?

  1. The fallacy of affirming the consequent

  2. The fallacy of denying the antecedent

  3. The fallacy of appeal to ignorance

  4. The fallacy of circular reasoning


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The fallacy of appeal to ignorance occurs when someone claims that a theory is true because it has not yet been proven false. This is a fallacy because the absence of evidence against a theory does not necessarily mean that the theory is true.

Which of the following is an example of a pseudoscience?

  1. Astrology

  2. Homeopathy

  3. Evolutionary biology

  4. Quantum mechanics


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Astrology is an example of a pseudoscience because it makes claims about the influence of celestial bodies on human affairs that are not supported by empirical evidence.

What is the demarcation criterion proposed by the logical positivists?

  1. Verifiability

  2. Falsifiability

  3. Testability

  4. Replicability


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The logical positivists proposed the verifiability criterion as a way to distinguish between science and non-science. According to this criterion, a statement is scientific only if it can be verified through empirical observation.

What is the name of the problem that arises when a theory makes successful predictions but is not falsifiable?

  1. The problem of induction

  2. The problem of demarcation

  3. The problem of underdetermination

  4. The problem of confirmation


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The problem of underdetermination arises when a theory makes successful predictions but is not falsifiable. This means that there are multiple theories that could potentially explain the same data, and there is no way to determine which theory is true.

Which of the following is an example of a theory that is underdetermined by the evidence?

  1. The theory of evolution

  2. The theory of gravity

  3. The theory of quantum mechanics

  4. The theory of relativity


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The theory of evolution is an example of a theory that is underdetermined by the evidence because there are multiple possible explanations for the diversity of life on Earth.

What is the name of the argument that claims that all scientific theories are ultimately based on unproven assumptions?

  1. The argument from ignorance

  2. The argument from authority

  3. The argument from circular reasoning

  4. The argument from regress


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The argument from regress claims that all scientific theories are ultimately based on unproven assumptions, and that this leads to an infinite regress of explanations.

Which of the following is an example of a scientific theory that is based on unproven assumptions?

  1. The theory of evolution

  2. The theory of gravity

  3. The theory of quantum mechanics

  4. The theory of relativity


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The theory of evolution is an example of a scientific theory that is based on unproven assumptions, such as the assumption that natural selection is the primary mechanism for evolution.

What is the name of the view that claims that there is no clear distinction between science and non-science?

  1. Scientism

  2. Anti-scientism

  3. Relativism

  4. Pluralism


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Pluralism is the view that claims that there is no clear distinction between science and non-science, and that there are multiple ways of knowing the world.

Which of the following is an example of a philosopher who advocates for pluralism?

  1. Karl Popper

  2. David Hume

  3. Immanuel Kant

  4. Thomas Kuhn


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Thomas Kuhn is an example of a philosopher who advocates for pluralism. In his book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Kuhn argues that science is not a linear progression of knowledge, but rather a series of discontinuous revolutions.

What is the name of the view that claims that science is the only way of knowing the world?

  1. Scientism

  2. Anti-scientism

  3. Relativism

  4. Pluralism


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Scientism is the view that claims that science is the only way of knowing the world, and that all other forms of knowledge are inferior.

Which of the following is an example of a philosopher who advocates for scientism?

  1. Karl Popper

  2. David Hume

  3. Immanuel Kant

  4. Richard Dawkins


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Richard Dawkins is an example of a philosopher who advocates for scientism. In his book The God Delusion, Dawkins argues that science is the only way of knowing the world, and that religion is a harmful superstition.

What is the name of the view that claims that science is a social construction?

  1. Scientism

  2. Anti-scientism

  3. Relativism

  4. Pluralism


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Anti-scientism is the view that claims that science is a social construction, and that it is not objective or reliable.

Which of the following is an example of a philosopher who advocates for anti-scientism?

  1. Karl Popper

  2. David Hume

  3. Immanuel Kant

  4. Bruno Latour


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Bruno Latour is an example of a philosopher who advocates for anti-scientism. In his book Science in Action, Latour argues that science is a social process, and that it is not objective or reliable.

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