Homework Assignment

Nancy Cartwright, "The Truth Doesn't Explain Much"

Reading Questions

Please answer each of the following questions to the best of your ability. Write complete sentences - but be as concise as possible. You may use your text, lecture notes, and any other resources in completing this assignment. However, the answers you submit must be your own.

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1. What is Cartwright's main objection to the covering law model of explanation?

2. What does Cartwright mean when she says "Covering law models let in too little?"

3. What is a ceteris paribus generalization?

4. What dilemma does the use of ceteris paribus laws pose for the covering law model of explanation?

5. What reason does Cartwright give for her claim that ceteris paribus laws are not statistical laws?

6. According to Cartwright, what role do ceteris paribus laws play in scientific explanation?

7. What role do ceteris paribus laws play in scientific explanation according to covering law theorists?

8.Why does Cartwright reject the covering law theorist's view of the role of ceteris paribus laws in scientific explanation?

9. What reasons does Cartwright give for her view that covering laws are scarce and hard to come by?

10. What is the underlying assumption covering law theorists make about nature according to Cartwright?