On The Shoulders Of Giants by Robert K. Merton

1. What is the main theme of 'On the Shoulders of Giants'?

A) The role of technology in science.
B) The individual achievements of scientists.
C) The cumulative nature of scientific knowledge.
D) The history of philosophy.

2. Who is the author of 'On the Shoulders of Giants'?

A) Robert K. Merton.
B) Imre Lakatos.
C) Thomas Kuhn.
D) Karl Popper.

3. What metaphor does Merton use in his title?

A) In the shadow of giants.
B) In the footprints of giants.
C) Through the lens of giants.
D) On the shoulders of giants.

4. What type of research is highlighted in Merton's work?

A) Historical and sociological.
B) Quantitative only.
C) Purely experimental.
D) Theoretical only.

5. What is the Matthew Effect?

A) The idea that the rich get richer.
B) The idea of social mobility.
C) The idea that everyone is equal.
D) The idea of diminishing returns.

6. In which field did Merton primarily establish his work?

A) Physics.
B) Sociology.
C) Economics.
D) Psychology.

7. What does Merton explain as a disadvantage of the emphasis on individual scientists?

A) It encourages independence.
B) It enhances competition.
C) It overlooks collaborative contributions.
D) It fosters innovation.

8. What does Merton emphasize about scientific progress?

A) It is independent from history.
B) It is determined by technology.
C) It builds on previous knowledge.
D) It is entirely original.

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