Philosophy of Science
Final Exam – Study Sheet
Exam: May 9, 10:15-12:15
Short Answer Section. The following are the main concepts we have covered since the
midterm. There will be 12 short answer questions on the final, of which you are to answer
10 (4 points each):
First, second, third wave
Core-set
Interactional/contributory expertise
Historical turn
Meta-methodology
Prior probabilities
Two-sphere universe
Retrograde motion
Aristotelian laws of motion
Neo-Platonism
Copernicus’ innovation
Tychonic System
Kepler
Galileo
Natural Ontological Attitude
skepticism theories/exp. realism
electron
partial existence
death of Rameses
Pouchet vs. Pasteur
Essay question. Two of the following essay questions will be on the exam. You are to
write on one of the two (60 points):
1. Harry Collins and Robert Evans argue that the first two waves of science studies
are giving way to, or ought to give way to, the third wave of science studies. This
third wave concerns the importance of expertise in justifying decisions regarding
scientific matters. How do Collins and Evans believe that their approach builds
upon and extends the work of the first two waves of science studies? Be sure to be
detailed in your discussion and to give examples of what is meant by expertise,
etc.
2. Kuhn argues that the Copernican revolution did not occur suddenly but took place
over time. This is one of a number of misconceptions Kuhn claims infects
histories of science. In this essay, discuss Kuhn’s understanding of the events
surrounding the Copernican revolution and draw attention to the misconceptions
he believes has hindered our ability to grasp the history of science and the nature
of scientific inquiry.
3. Both Hacking, in Representing and Intervening, and Latour, in “On the partial
existence of existing and nonexisting objects,” address, though from differing
angles, the status of scientific entities (electrons for Hacking, microbes such as
Koch’s bacillus for Latour). Do these entities exist, and did they exist before they
became the objects of scientific theories and experiments? Address these
questions in the context of comparing and contrasting Hacking and Latour.