1 Either (a) ‘Scientific realism is the only philosophical view which
doesn’t make the success of science a miracle.’ Discuss.
Or (b) Does the history of science refute scientific realism?
2 ‘Structural realism is the best of both worlds.’ What does this mean and is it
true?
3 Either (a) ‘The aim of science is empirical adequacy, not truth.’ Discuss.
Or (b) If a pair of theories are empirically equivalent, can we have
reasons to prefer one to the other?
4 What fixes the reference of theoretical terms in scientific theories?
5 Is there a problem with the concept of approximate truth?
6 Does Bayesian confirmation theory vindicate inductive reasoning?
7 Either (a) ‘Laws of nature are not mere regularities.’ Discuss.
Or (b) How are the notions of causation and law related?
8 Is the notion of a natural kind necessary to understand scientific laws?
9 Critically discuss the Heisenberg-Bohr debate concerning epistemological
versus ontological interpretations of the Indeterminacy Relations.
10 How does the EPR paradox challenge the Copenhagen Interpretation of
Quantum Mechanics?
11 Does the existence of non-Euclidean geometries show that we cannot know
the shape of space a priori?
12 What is the most compelling argument in favour of being either a
substantivalist or a relationist about space-time?