Study Questions for Popper

  1. What is the author's main point?
  2. What distinguishes science from pseudo-science?
  3. What are some characteristics of a good scientific theory?
  4. What is the role of confirmation?
  5. What is an ad hoc modification? What modifications to a theory are acceptable?
  6. When are significant advances made in science?
  7. What is falsifiability? Why is it important?
  8. What degree of falsifiability is preferred? Why? How is this achieved?
  9. What is the problem of demarcation?
  10. What is the problem of induction?
  11. How does Popper critique Hume?
  12. According to Popper, should theory precede or follow observation? Why?
  13. Why do we look for regularities?
  14. What is the difference between dogmatic and critical thinking?
  15. How and when are theories proved?
  16. How and when are theories disproved?
  17. How are mistakes/errors helpful?
  18. How does one come up with a good theory?
  19. What is the difference between probability and degree of corroboration?
  20. What is the difference between induction and falsification?
  21. Why does any of this matter to political scientists?

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

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