Philosophy of science: Respond to any ONE question in 3 pages .

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PHL 339: History and Philosophy of Science

Winter 2018

Essay #2 Prompts

Due Monday, March 5

Write a 3 to 4 page, double-spaced typed, critical essay on any one question. Consult at

least five other sources including our course textbook, and list all sources on a separate

page.

Formatting guidelines for writing assignment: The following applies to all written

assignments:

 Use APA, MLA, or Chicago writing standards to cite sources; include a reference
page at the end.

 Essay must be typed, double-spaced on standard-sized paper (8.5″ x 11″) with 1″
margins on all sides. Use a clear font that is highly readable. I recommends using 12

pt. Times New Roman font. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

 Include headers with your last name and page number.
 Late assignment: Subtract 5 points for each late day.
 Please turn in hardcopies of all written assignments. You can submit an

electronic copy via email to avoid late penalty, but you must still bring a hard

copy.

1. Using an example, describe the idea of paradigm shift advanced by Thomas Kuhn.

Include a brief account of the different stages a theories goes through, according to Kuhn,

before a paradigm shift occurs.

2. What does Kuhn mean when he says that theories, following a paradigm shift, are

incommensurable? Explain this idea using an example (either the Copernican revolution

or the Newtonian/Einsteinian revolution).

3. Write a critical essay describing the differences between the approaches to scientific

progress taken by Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn. Include brief accounts of falsification

and paradigm shift before analyzing the two approaches.

4. “Our scientific knowledge is fallible, partial and approximate, but usually it is the most
reliable means we have for predicting phenomena in the world around us.” Using this

description, briefly sketch the debate between scientific realism v anti-realism. Using an

example or two, point out some of the key distinctions between the approaches.

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/