Multiple Choice Exam

Rudolph Carnap, "The Nature of Theories"

Please use a form 882-ES Scan-Tron Card to record your answers. Choose the best answer to each of the following questions.

1. According to Carnap, the distinction between observables and unobservables is:

• A. absolute
• B. unimportant
• C. arbitrary
• D. the same for both the philosopher and physicist
• E. none of the above

2. In Carnap's view, observables are only those things and properties which can be:

• A. directly perceived by the senses
• B. indirectly perceived by the senses
• C. perceived with the aid of detecting instruments
• D. directly perceived by the senses or indirectly perceived with the aid of relatively simple methods of observation
• E. none of the above

3. According to Carnap, the distinction between empirical laws and theoretical laws is to be found in:

• A. the kinds of terms each contains
• B. the degree to which each is confirmed or established
• C. the the way in which each is discovered
• D. all of the above
• E. none of the above

4. According to Carnap, theoretical laws are related to empirical laws in that:

• A. theoretical laws are inductive generalizations of empirical laws
• B. theoretical laws explain empirical laws
• C. theoretical laws confirm empirical laws
• D. empirical laws explain theoretical laws
• E. all of the above

5. According to Carnap, theoretical laws:

• A. contain only terms which refer to unobservables
• B. are more general than empirical laws
• C. are discovered by a process of hypothesis
• D. are confirmed by indirect means
• E. all of the above

6. According to Carnap, the complete confirmation of empirical and theoretical laws is:

• A. never possible
• B. attainable if enough positive instances are observed
• C. possible only if empirical laws can be deduced from theoretical laws
• D. all of the above
• E. none of the above

7. According to Carnap, the primary value of a new theory is its ability to:

• A. explain existing empirical laws
• B. predict new empirical laws
• C. unify empirical laws
• D. confirm empirical laws
• E. none of the above

8. According to Carnap, empirical laws:

• A. can be directly derived from theoretical laws
• B. are confirmed by deducing theoretical laws from them
• C. can be completely confirmed by direct observation
• D. all of the above
• E. none of the above.

9. According to Carnap, correspondence rules :

• A. are needed to confirm theories
• B. are rules which connect theoretical terms with observable terms
• C. are needed to derive empirical laws from theoretical laws
• D. all of the above
• E. none of the above

10. According to Carnap, an hypothesis or theory is regarded as "scientific" only if it:

• A. is confirmed
• B. is true
• C. can in principle be tested
• D. all of the above
• E. none of the above