The Structure of Scientific Thought

Study guide #1

Aristotle's Philosophy of Science; Deductive Reasoning

(Does not cover "Aristotle's World View" in Richards)

1. According to Aristotle's view, what are the main goals or purposes of science?

2. Briefly characterize Aristotle's view of "the scientific method."

3. What would an Aristotelian science be like? What kinds of knowledge claims would it include? How does Aristotle's vision for science differ from the character of contemporary science?

4. What are Aristotle's requirements for a good scientific explanation?

5. Identify and define Aristotle's four causes, and show how they apply to an example.

6. Identify a major problem facing Aristotle's view of science.

7. Define the following terms: argument; deductively valid argument; sound argument; Conditional sentence; Sentence S1 logically implies Sentence S2.

8. Be able to recognize and construct simple arguments of the following valid patterns:

   "A" and "B" stand for any given sentences.  "Not B" says that B is false.

   Modus Ponens:

   If A, then B.

   A.

   Therefore B.

   Modus Tollens:

   If A, then B.

   Not B.

   Therefore Not A.

   Conditional syllogism:

   If A, then B.

   If B, then C.

   Therefore If A then C.

9. Be able to recognize the following argument patterns as invalid, and explain why they are invalid.

   Invalid pattern #1

   If A, then B.

   B.

   Therefore A.

   Invalid pattern #2

   If A, then B.

   Not A.

   Therefore Not B.