Study Questions for Chalmers, Chapters 5-6

  1. What is the author's main point?
  2. What is falsifiability?
  3. Why is it important?
  4. What degree of falsifiability is preferred? Why? How is this achieved?
  5. How are mistakes/errors helpful?
  6. Does theory precede or follow observation for a falsificationist? Why?
  7. How are theories proved?
  8. What is the difference between sophisticated and regular ("naive") falsificationism?
  9. What is an ad hoc modification?
  10. What modifications to a theory are acceptable?
  11. What is the role of confirmation?
  12. When are significant advances made in science?
  13. What is background knowledge?
  14. What is the difference between inductivism and falsificationism?
  15. Why does any of this matter to political scientists?

Things to look for/keep in mind for future readings:

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