Philosophy of Science
SECTION A
1. When theory and observation clash, is it always theory that is to
blame?
2. How, if at all, does scientific reasoning differ from everyday reasoning?
SECTION B
3. What is the best reason for thinking that the future will resemble the
past?
4. EITHER (a) Do laws of nature make things happen?
OR (b) Do explanations cite causal information?
5. What is the most significant point of contrast between Popper’s and
Kuhn’s views on scientific method?
6. Discuss cases of productive counter-induction. Are they rare
exceptions or rather typical in scientific practice?
7. Could a false theory or model be successful?
8. Have there been any major theory-changes in the physical sciences
which exhibit Kuhnian incommensurability?
9. Should metaphysics change according to the latest development in
science? Discuss with reference to examples from the physical
sciences.
10. Is measurement theory-laden? How does that issue relate to the
Duhem–Quine thesis?
11. ‘Evolutionary theory is not scientific because it is no more than a
tautology.’ Discuss.
12. Must scientists always tell the truth?