The second test will be given in class on Monday, May 1. It will cover material from the readings and from class since the second test. The test will be similar in style to the previous ones: It will include several short essay questions and possibly some short answer (true/false, fill in the blank) questions. The essay questions will ask you to explain some idea in a clear and precise way, usually requiring that you give an example to illustrate your point. Very likely, these questions will give you key quotes from the readings and ask you to explain and assess them. You will not be asked to defend your own views on controversial issues.

 

Topics

 

1. Kuhn: Be able to explain the key concepts - “scientific revolution”, “paradigm” - and the key arguments. In particular, be able to discuss the issues having to do with “observation being theory-laden”. (See Rosenberg, pp. 150-1.) Also, we talked about the idea that shifting standards for identifying what counts as the “best” theory may play a role in Kuhn’s thinking. Be prepared to discuss that issue.

 

2. Gould & Dawkins: Be able to formulate the “NOMA” thesis and be able to discuss the arguments for it. Dawkins has a variety of objections to Gould’s view. Be prepared to explain and assess them. I claimed in class that one important aspect of the issue depended upon what exactly counted as a “conflict”. Be prepared to discuss that. Also, be prepared to discuss the idea that claims about the existence of souls (and the like) are beyond science.

 

3. Dennett &Wieseltier: Be prepared to explain Dennett’s definition of “religion”, his proposal for a scientific study of religion, and the various claims Wieseltier makes about this (see the handout from class). Dennett himself identifies and responds to an objection to his proposed study of religion. How does he respond to the objection? Also, in one of the quoted passages Wieseltier mentions the idea that we take religious utterances “metaphorically, symbolically,...” rather than literally. Be prepared to discuss what he means by this and what impact taking the utterances this way would have on Dennett’s views. There could also be a question about how this way of taking religious utterances would affect Gould’s view.

 

4. Science & Ethics: Some material on this topic came up in connection with Gould & Dawkins. In class on 4/28 we will discuss the idea that “science is value free” and the idea that “science can contribute to the resolution of moral issues”. (We may not get through all of this material in class. You are responsible for what is in the notes that will posted on the website.)

 

Sample Questions

 

1. Gould says “... souls represent a subject outside the magisterium of science. My world [science] cannot prove or disprove such a notion.” Discuss this claim, paying careful attention to what might be meant here by “prove”.

 

2. Wieseltier quotes Dennett’s claim that science has not established his [Dennett’s] preferred view about the origins of religious belief. Wieseltier concludes from this, “So all of Dennett’s splashy allegiance to evidence and experiment and ‘generating further testable hypotheses’ notwithstanding, what he has written is just an extravagant speculation based upon his hope for what is the case, a pious account of his own atheistic longing.” In this passage Wieseltier makes an inference. What’s the inference? Does his conclusion follow from his premise?