N.R. Hanson, "Observation"
1. According to Hanson, the question of whether Tycho and Kepler
see the same thing in the east at dawn:
- (a) can be settled by observation
- (b) can be settled by comparing their retinal images
- (c) can be settled by comparing their descriptions of what
they see
- (d) none of the above
2. According to Hanson, the difference between what Tycho and
Kepler see in the east at dawn can be accounted for in terms of
differences between their:
- (a) sense-data
- (b) physiological processes
- (c) interpretations of what they see
- (d) conceptual organizations
3. According to Hanson, seeing the same thing when looking at the
same thing:
- (a) requires shared knowledge
- (b) is impossible
- (c) is unimportant for sorting out differences about how to
interpret data
- (d) none of the above
4. The main point of Hanson's essay was:
- (a) to prove that Tycho's theory was correct
- (b) to prove that Kepler's theory was correct
- (c) to show that observation reports are not theory neutral
- (d) to show that observation reports are theory neutral
5. According to Hanson, seeing:
- (a) is simply a matter of having a retinal image of
something
- (b) is a just a physiological process
- (c) is just a physical process
- (d) none of the above
6. According to Hanson, differences in persons accounts of what
they see are generally a result of:
- (a) different interpretations of what they see
- (b) different neurophysiological processes
- (c) different physical processes
- (d) none of the above
7. According to Hanson, fundamental physics is:
- (a) based on observation
- (b) primarily a search for fundamental objects and facts
- (c) primarily a search for intelligibility
- (d) none of the above
8. According to Hanson, the relationship between observation and
theory is:
- (a) theories are derived from observations
- (b) theories are inductive generalizations of experience
- (c) theories are interpretations of sense data
- (d) none of the above
9. According to Hanson, interpretation:
- (a) is an essential component in all visual experience
- (b) is a cognitive process
- c) accounts for differences between what two persons
looking at the same object see
- (d) all of the above
ANSWERS
