HU3700: Exam 2 (take-home)Fall, 2008
Answer the 4 questions below. Be sure to answer all parts of each question. In some instances, you are asked for your own conclusion on a problematic or controversial issue. In those cases, you will be graded on the quality of your discussion and reasoning—not on what your conclusion is. Read each question carefully and answer it directly and clearly. Avoid irrelevant discussion. If you are not sure what you are supposed to do, get in touch with the course instructor. Each question is worth 25 points.
Your completed exam is due in the classroom (127 Fisher) at 9:35 AM, Tuesday, December 9, 2008. You may turn in your exam earlier if you wish. You must submit a hard (paper) copy of your exam. Do not send it via email or in any other electronic form. Typed or word-processed exams are preferred. However, you may write your answers in long hand if you wish.
- Do black holes really exist? Examine this question in light (pardon the pun) of our discussion in class as well as in your textbook of the scientific realism/antirealismtopic. You might want to think about whether black holes (as they are currently conceived) are unobservable theoretical objectsand what sorts of facts scientists use them to explain. Be sure especially to bear in mind the arguments on both sides of the realism/antirealism controversy. If you want some background information about black holes, you can go to
- Give concise, accurate definitions/explanations of each of the following terms:
- natural selection
- macroevolution
- descent with modification
- speciation
- transitional form
- genetic drift
- irreducible complexity
- molecular evolution
- In his court testimony in Kitzmiller v. Dover School District, Michael Behe repeatedly brings up the Big Bang Theory in defending his claim that “Intelligent Design Theory” is real (rather than pseudo-) science. What is Behe’s purpose in comparing “Intelligent Design Theory” to the Big Bang Theory? In what respects does he claim that the two “theories” are similar? Explain why he thinks those similarities support his contention that “Intelligent Design Theory” is real (as opposed to pseudo-) science. What is your evaluation of the logic of his argument(s) here? Are “Intelligent Design Theory” and the Big Bang Theory similar in the respects that he claims? And if so, does this show that “Intelligent Design Theory” is no less scientificthan the Big Bang Theory? (Be sure to consider Behe’s direct testimony and during cross-examination.) Explain and justify your answers. Be specific.
- In his decision in Kitzmiller v. Dover School District, Judge Jones argues that “Intelligent Design Theory” is unscientific because it fails to meet three criteria, each of which he says must be met in order for something to be scientific. State those criteria in plain simple language. (For example, do not re-use phrases like “contrived dualism.” Rather, explain in simple terms what Jones means by “contrived dualism.”) Then for each criterion, clearly summarize Judge Jones’s reasons for saying that “Intelligent Design Theory” does not meet it. (Be concise. You do not need to mention every detail of Judge Jones’s reasoning.)