I. Objective - Match the name on the left with description from the list on the right.
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1. Jan Oort
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A. Wrote "Philosophize Natural's Principia Mathematica," the first major work to describe the laws of physics in mathematical terms.
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2. Edmund Halley
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B. The Dutch astronomer who postulated that long-period comets originated in an orbiting cloud at the outermost edge of the Solar System.
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3. Isaac Newton
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C. Wrote "Guns, Germs and Steel," the 1997 non-fiction book that attempts to explain how Eurasian civilizations began, and then survived and conquered others.
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4. Jared Diamond
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D. Computed the orbit of the comet that returns every 75 years, invented the diving bell, and the symbols he used to represent winds are still used on modern day weather charts
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5. Neil deGrasse Tyson
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E. The American astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator who hosts the science show "Cosmos."
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6. Albert Einstein
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F. The German astronomer who constructed his first large telescope in 1774, investigated double stars, discovered Uranus, and raised his son to also be an astronomer.
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7. William Herschel
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G. Wrote the Theory of Relativity, that the speed of light is a fundamental constant of the universe
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8. John Michell
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H. The philosophical study of knowledge, and how we know what we know
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9. Epistemology
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I. Carefully exploring the thinking process to clarify our understanding
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10. Thinking Critically
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J. English astronomer who described the concept of dark stars, which are not visible but detectable by tracking other stars
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II. Short Answer
1) In Guns, Germs and Steel, by Prof Jared Diamond, we learn that civilizations began in the Middle East, in an area known as the "Fertile Crescent?' Why is that people in this area were able to get a "head start" On others in the march of development?
2) What is the difference between having a "Absolute Preference" and having an "Informed Opinion"? Give an example of each.
3) What is the difference between "Ignorance" and "Mistaken Knowledge"? Give an example of each.
III. Essay
Congratulations! You have been selected to serve on the new Logic Bowl 'ream for St. Philip's College, a team of students that competes against other colleges and universities to argue difficult philosophy cases. Participating on this inter-collegiate team offers you opportunities for travel, sharpens skills that are desired by employers and universities, and is a lot of fun!
You task today is to take ONE (1) of the issues listed below, and prepare a position for the team. You will need to:
1) State a clear position;
2) Give your reasons for the choice you have made;
3) Define and use the term "Epistemology" in your defense of your position;
4) Give at least one reason why the "other side" is incorrect;
5) Describe your thinking given the terms of the class (e.g. do you have "certain knowledge" of your position, or is this an "informed opinion).
Write ONE (1) essay. Choose between the following topics:
Question 1 - Vaccines Directly Cause Autism
Lifestyle blogger, Sarah Pope, was interviewed on The Daily Show in a segment titled "An Outbreak of Liberal Idiocy." In the episode she flatly states that giving children their recommended vaccines causes autism. Do you agree or disagree. Why?
Question 2 - Climate Change is Happening and is Caused by Human Activity
Two scientists, Fred Seitz and Fred Singer, were interviewed for the book (and later the film) "Merchants of Doubt." In their interviews they deny that the earth is warming, or if it is, that the warming is due to natural causes, and not human activity. Do you agree or disagree. Why?
Question 3 - Cigarettes are Addictive and Cause Cancer
The top executives of the seven largest American tobacco companies testified in Congress that they did not believe that cigarettes were addictive, and that cigarettes may cause lung cancer, heart disease and other health problems, but the evidence is not conclusive. Do you agree or disagree. Why?