Ch 10

Question 1

Ad hoc hypothesis

Answer 1

A hypothesis, or theory, that cannot be verified independently of the phenomenon it’s supposed to explain. Ad hoc hypotheses always make a theory less simple—and therefore less credible.

Question 2

Conservatism

Answer 2

A criterion of adequacy for judging the worth of theories. A conservative theory is one that fits with our established beliefs.

Question 3

Criteria of adequacy

Answer 3

The standards used to judge the worth of explanatory theories. They include testability, fruitfulness, scope, simplicity, and conservatism.

Question 4

Fruitful

Answer 4

A criterion of adequacy for judging the worth of theories. A fruitful theory is one that makes novel predictions.

Question 5

Inference to the best explanation

Answer 5

A form of inductive reasoning in which we reason from premises about a state of affairs to an explanation for that state of affairs:

Phenomenon Q.
E provides the best explanation for Q.
Therefore, it is probable that E is true.

Question 6

Scope

Answer 6

A criterion of adequacy for judging the worth of theories.

A theory with scope is one that explains or predicts phenomena other than that which it was introduced to explain.

Question 7

Simplicity

Answer 7

A criterion of adequacy for judging the worth of theories. A simple theory is one that makes minimal assumptions.

Question 8

Testable

Answer 8

A criterion of adequacy for judging the worth of theories.

A testable theory is one in which there is some way to determine whether the theory is true or false—that is, it predicts something other than what it was introduced to explain.

Question 9

TEST formula:

Answer 9

A four-step procedure for evaluating the worth of a theory:

Step 1.State the Theory and check for consistency.

Step 2. Assess the Evidence for the theory.

Step 3. Scrutinize alternative theories.

Step 4. Test the theories with the criteria of adequacy.

Question 10

What is cogency?

Answer 10

When the premise of an argument is true

Question 11

What is the requirement of consistency

Answer 11

Internal and external consistency

Internal = no contradictions

External = not going against the relèvent evidence

Question 12

cognitive dissonance is…

Answer 12

When reality conflicts with what we believe

Question 13

Type of explanations

Answer 13

1.procedural - how something is done
2.interperetive - what is the meaning
3.functional - how it functions

4.Theoretical- explanations that use a theory to explain a case -then applying it to a case at hand. ( the only one that is a clam)