- 1. Defenders of the Truth by Ullica Segerstrale is a profound exploration of the social and philosophical issues surrounding the concept of truth in the context of scientific discourse and public understanding. The book examines the roles that scientists, philosophers, and the lay public play in shaping our collective perception of truth, especially in the face of contemporary challenges such as misinformation and pseudoscience. Segerstrale delves into historical case studies, highlighting key figures and movements that have championed the pursuit of truth, while also confronting the obstacles they faced from various societal influences. Through a rigorous analysis, she underscores the importance of defending truth as a fundamental principle in a democratic society, advocating for a more informed and engaged citizenry that can discern reliable information in an era of rapid technological advancement and information overload. This work is not just an academic treatise, but a call to action for all who value knowledge and its critical place in human progress, making it a significant contribution to discussions on science, philosophy, and ethics.
What is the main subject of 'Defenders of the Truth' by Ullica Segerstrale?
A) The sociobiology debate
B) The quantum physics revolution
C) The climate change controversy
D) The artificial intelligence ethics debate
- 2. Who was the central figure in the sociobiology debate discussed in the book?
A) Noam Chomsky
B) E.O. Wilson
C) Richard Dawkins
D) Stephen Jay Gould
- 3. Which of Wilson's books sparked the sociobiology controversy?
A) Sociobiology: The New Synthesis
B) The Diversity of Life
C) The Selfish Gene
D) On Human Nature
- 4. What academic field did sociobiology aim to create?
A) Evolutionary psychology
B) Behavioral genetics
C) Biology of social behavior
D) Study of social structures
- 5. What was the primary criticism against sociobiology?
A) Lack of empirical evidence
B) Biological determinism
C) Poor scientific methodology
D) Religious bias
- 6. In what decade did the sociobiology debate primarily occur?
A) 1980s
B) 1990s
C) 1950s
D) 1970s
- 7. What organization criticized sociobiology in a public statement?
A) American Civil Liberties Union
B) Science for the People
C) National Academy of Sciences
D) American Psychological Association
- 8. What concept did critics fear sociobiology would justify?
A) Political corruption
B) Environmental destruction
C) Scientific fraud
D) Social inequality
- 9. What university were many key figures in the debate associated with?
A) Harvard University
B) MIT
C) University of Chicago
D) Stanford University
- 10. Which field emerged from sociobiology?
A) Molecular biology
B) Neuroscience
C) Evolutionary psychology
D) Cognitive science
- 11. What incident involved Wilson being doused with water?
A) 1978 AAAS meeting
B) Congressional hearing
C) Nobel Prize ceremony
D) Harvard commencement
- 12. What did critics call sociobiology?
A) Revolutionary breakthrough
B) Mathematical fiction
C) Religious dogma
D) Scientific justification for status quo
- 13. What aspect of science does Segerstrale focus on?
A) Mathematical foundations
B) Technical details
C) Laboratory techniques
D) Social dimensions
- 14. What did Gould and Lewontin's 'spandrels' paper argue?
A) Genes determine everything
B) Culture is irrelevant
C) Not all traits are adaptations
D) Sociobiology is completely correct
- 15. What broader issue does the book examine about science?
A) Relationship between science and values
B) Peer review mechanics
C) Laboratory safety protocols
D) Funding allocation processes
- 16. What academic background did Segerstrale bring to this study?
A) Molecular biology
B) Physics
C) Sociology of science
D) Economics
- 17. What did critics fear about sociobiology's political implications?
A) Promotion of communism
B) Justification for discrimination
C) Support for anarchy
D) Advocacy for monarchy
- 18. What lasting impact did the sociobiology debate have?
A) Ended evolutionary biology
B) Unified all social sciences
C) Shaped evolutionary psychology
D) Resolved nature-nurture debate
- 19. What year was E.O. Wilson's 'Sociobiology' published?
A) 1985
B) 1965
C) 1975
D) 1970
- 20. Wilson's work was primarily based on studies of what?
A) Ants
B) Dolphins
C) Birds
D) Primates
- 21. Which concept did Gould and Lewontin criticize as 'just-so stories'?
A) Structuralism
B) Adaptationism
C) Functionalism
D) Behaviorism
- 22. What did Wilson argue about altruism?
A) It was purely cultural
B) It didn't exist in animals
C) It was always selfish
D) It could evolve through kin selection
- 23. Which scientist co-authored 'Not in Our Genes' against sociobiology?
A) E.O. Wilson
B) Richard Lewontin
C) Stephen Jay Gould
D) Steven Pinker
- 24. What was the primary methodological approach criticized in sociobiology?
A) Extrapolation from animals to humans
B) Field observation
C) Laboratory experimentation
D) Mathematical modeling
- 25. Which concept was central to Wilson's sociobiology?
A) Plate tectonics
B) Inclusive fitness
C) Quantum entanglement
D) String theory
- 26. What was Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning book?
A) The Selfish Gene
B) The Origin of Species
C) The Double Helix
D) On Human Nature
|