Chapter 13 Reading Quiz: Natural Sciences

What is the main difference between science and pseudo-science?

• science makes ad hoc exceptions
• science conducts experiments
• science has testable hypotheses
• science attempts to understand truth

What distinguishes science from non-science?

• the subjects of science such as physics, chemistry, and biology
• the method of science
• peer review
• the vagueness of non-science

A good experiment should have all the following features EXCEPT:

• controllability
• measurability
• repeatability
• universality

Which of the following is NOT a problem with scientific observation?

• Expectations can influence what we see
• What the observer perceives to be relevant
• Scientific equipment can cause complications
• Observation can sometimes affect what we observe
• the scientific method relies upon inductive reasoning

The principle of simplicity says that we should prefer the simpler of two competing hypotheses that have the same prediction.

• True
• False

The theoretical problem of induction comes from

• the empirical nature of science
• the universal laws of science
• scientific deduction

Rationalism is

• the belief that reason rather than experience is the most important source of knowledge
• the belief that experience rather than reason is the most important source of knowledge
• the belief that emotion rather than experience is the most important source of knowledge
• the belief that reason rather than emotion is the most important source of knowledge

What is necessary to decide such things as which factors should be observed and which can be safely ignored?

• judgement
• faith
• observation
• intuition

Scientism claims that the only way we can make sense of reality and discover truth is science itself.

• True
• False

Since there are things that a scientist ought or ought not to do, suggests that science can not be separated from

• mathematics
• religion
• ethics
• the humanities