Reading response questions

1. What does Feigl identify as 'the virtues characteristic of science'? How does he think adopting these virtues in philosophy might result in more meaningful philosophical questions and answers? (Due Wed., Sept. 8)

2. Consider the claim, 'All bachelors enjoy sports." According to Hempel, is a claim like this testable? (If so, describe the testing procedure. If not, explain why not.) What would he say about whether this claim could be conclusively established? (Due Wed., Sept. 15)

3. Explain why Popper thinks the problem of induction isn't a problem for the scientific method. (Due Mon., Sept. 27)

4. What does Kuhn identify as the key features of "puzzles"? How do features like these help organize the "puzzle-solving" work of scientific research? (Due Mon., Oct. 4)

5. How does Longino think the peer review system could foster more objective scientific knowledge? In what ways does she think the actual operation of peer review undermines objectivity? (Due Mon., Nov. 1)

6. Grover Maxwell claims that an anti-realist will deny the existence of theoretical entities. Explain van Fraassen's objections to this claim. (Due Mon., Nov. 22)

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