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Epistemic Reliability: The Problem of Demarcation

Description: Epistemic Reliability: The Problem of Demarcation
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: epistemology epistemic reliability problem of demarcation
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What is the problem of demarcation?

  1. The problem of distinguishing between science and non-science.

  2. The problem of distinguishing between knowledge and belief.

  3. The problem of distinguishing between truth and falsehood.

  4. The problem of distinguishing between good and evil.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The problem of demarcation is the problem of distinguishing between science and non-science. This is a difficult problem because there is no clear-cut definition of science. Some philosophers have argued that science is a method of inquiry that is based on evidence and reason, while others have argued that science is a body of knowledge that is constantly changing and evolving.

Who is considered the father of the problem of demarcation?

  1. Karl Popper

  2. Thomas Kuhn

  3. Immanuel Kant

  4. David Hume


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Karl Popper is considered the father of the problem of demarcation. In his book The Logic of Scientific Discovery, Popper argued that science is a method of inquiry that is based on falsification. He argued that a scientific theory is only scientific if it is possible to falsify it through empirical evidence.

What is Popper's falsification criterion?

  1. A scientific theory must be able to be tested through empirical evidence.

  2. A scientific theory must be able to be falsified through empirical evidence.

  3. A scientific theory must be able to be verified through empirical evidence.

  4. A scientific theory must be able to be confirmed through empirical evidence.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Popper's falsification criterion states that a scientific theory must be able to be falsified through empirical evidence. This means that there must be some possible observation or experiment that could show that the theory is false. If a theory cannot be falsified, then it is not scientific.

What is the difference between a scientific theory and a non-scientific theory?

  1. A scientific theory is based on evidence and reason, while a non-scientific theory is based on faith and superstition.

  2. A scientific theory is constantly changing and evolving, while a non-scientific theory is static and unchanging.

  3. A scientific theory is falsifiable, while a non-scientific theory is not falsifiable.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A scientific theory is based on evidence and reason, while a non-scientific theory is based on faith and superstition. A scientific theory is constantly changing and evolving, while a non-scientific theory is static and unchanging. A scientific theory is falsifiable, while a non-scientific theory is not falsifiable.

What are some examples of non-scientific theories?

  1. The theory of evolution

  2. The theory of gravity

  3. The theory of relativity

  4. The theory of astrology


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The theory of astrology is a non-scientific theory because it is not based on evidence and reason. It is based on the belief that the positions of the stars and planets can influence human affairs.

What are some of the challenges to the problem of demarcation?

  1. The difficulty of defining science.

  2. The fact that some theories are both scientific and non-scientific.

  3. The fact that some theories are neither scientific nor non-scientific.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The difficulty of defining science, the fact that some theories are both scientific and non-scientific, and the fact that some theories are neither scientific nor non-scientific are all challenges to the problem of demarcation.

What is the significance of the problem of demarcation?

  1. It helps us to understand the nature of science.

  2. It helps us to distinguish between science and non-science.

  3. It helps us to evaluate the reliability of scientific theories.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The problem of demarcation helps us to understand the nature of science, distinguish between science and non-science, and evaluate the reliability of scientific theories.

What are some of the different approaches to the problem of demarcation?

  1. The logical approach

  2. The historical approach

  3. The sociological approach

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The logical approach, the historical approach, and the sociological approach are all different approaches to the problem of demarcation.

What is the logical approach to the problem of demarcation?

  1. It attempts to define science in terms of its logical structure.

  2. It attempts to identify the necessary and sufficient conditions for a theory to be scientific.

  3. It attempts to develop a set of criteria that can be used to distinguish between science and non-science.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The logical approach to the problem of demarcation attempts to define science in terms of its logical structure, identify the necessary and sufficient conditions for a theory to be scientific, and develop a set of criteria that can be used to distinguish between science and non-science.

What is the historical approach to the problem of demarcation?

  1. It examines the history of science to identify the factors that have led to the development of scientific knowledge.

  2. It attempts to identify the common features of scientific theories that have been successful in the past.

  3. It attempts to develop a set of criteria that can be used to distinguish between science and non-science based on the history of science.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The historical approach to the problem of demarcation examines the history of science to identify the factors that have led to the development of scientific knowledge, attempts to identify the common features of scientific theories that have been successful in the past, and attempts to develop a set of criteria that can be used to distinguish between science and non-science based on the history of science.

What is the sociological approach to the problem of demarcation?

  1. It examines the social factors that influence the development of scientific knowledge.

  2. It attempts to identify the social groups that are responsible for the production of scientific knowledge.

  3. It attempts to develop a set of criteria that can be used to distinguish between science and non-science based on social factors.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The sociological approach to the problem of demarcation examines the social factors that influence the development of scientific knowledge, attempts to identify the social groups that are responsible for the production of scientific knowledge, and attempts to develop a set of criteria that can be used to distinguish between science and non-science based on social factors.

What is the current status of the problem of demarcation?

  1. There is a consensus among philosophers about the solution to the problem of demarcation.

  2. There is no consensus among philosophers about the solution to the problem of demarcation.

  3. The problem of demarcation has been solved.

  4. The problem of demarcation is unsolvable.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

There is no consensus among philosophers about the solution to the problem of demarcation. Some philosophers believe that the problem is unsolvable, while others believe that it can be solved. There are a variety of different approaches to the problem of demarcation, and there is no one approach that is universally accepted.

What are some of the implications of the problem of demarcation for the philosophy of science?

  1. It raises questions about the nature of scientific knowledge.

  2. It raises questions about the methods of science.

  3. It raises questions about the relationship between science and other areas of human inquiry.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The problem of demarcation raises questions about the nature of scientific knowledge, the methods of science, and the relationship between science and other areas of human inquiry.

What are some of the implications of the problem of demarcation for the public understanding of science?

  1. It can help people to understand the difference between science and non-science.

  2. It can help people to evaluate the reliability of scientific claims.

  3. It can help people to make informed decisions about science-related issues.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The problem of demarcation can help people to understand the difference between science and non-science, evaluate the reliability of scientific claims, and make informed decisions about science-related issues.

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