- 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 artificial intelligence ethics debate
C) The climate change controversy
D) The quantum physics revolution
- 2. Who was the central figure in the sociobiology debate discussed in the book?
A) Richard Dawkins
B) Stephen Jay Gould
C) Noam Chomsky
D) E.O. Wilson
- 3. Which of Wilson's books sparked the sociobiology controversy?
A) The Diversity of Life
B) Sociobiology: The New Synthesis
C) On Human Nature
D) The Selfish Gene
- 4. What academic field did sociobiology aim to create?
A) Behavioral genetics
B) Evolutionary psychology
C) Study of social structures
D) Biology of social behavior
- 5. What was the primary criticism against sociobiology?
A) Religious bias
B) Poor scientific methodology
C) Biological determinism
D) Lack of empirical evidence
- 6. In what decade did the sociobiology debate primarily occur?
A) 1970s
B) 1990s
C) 1980s
D) 1950s
- 7. What organization criticized sociobiology in a public statement?
A) American Psychological Association
B) Science for the People
C) National Academy of Sciences
D) American Civil Liberties Union
- 8. What concept did critics fear sociobiology would justify?
A) Scientific fraud
B) Environmental destruction
C) Political corruption
D) Social inequality
- 9. What university were many key figures in the debate associated with?
A) Harvard University
B) Stanford University
C) University of Chicago
D) MIT
- 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) Harvard commencement
B) Nobel Prize ceremony
C) 1978 AAAS meeting
D) Congressional hearing
- 12. What did critics call sociobiology?
A) Mathematical fiction
B) Religious dogma
C) Scientific justification for status quo
D) Revolutionary breakthrough
- 13. What aspect of science does Segerstrale focus on?
A) Social dimensions
B) Laboratory techniques
C) Mathematical foundations
D) Technical details
- 14. What did Gould and Lewontin's 'spandrels' paper argue?
A) Genes determine everything
B) Culture is irrelevant
C) Sociobiology is completely correct
D) Not all traits are adaptations
- 15. What broader issue does the book examine about science?
A) Peer review mechanics
B) Laboratory safety protocols
C) Relationship between science and values
D) Funding allocation processes
- 16. What academic background did Segerstrale bring to this study?
A) Physics
B) Sociology of science
C) Molecular biology
D) Economics
- 17. What did critics fear about sociobiology's political implications?
A) Justification for discrimination
B) Advocacy for monarchy
C) Promotion of communism
D) Support for anarchy
- 18. What lasting impact did the sociobiology debate have?
A) Shaped evolutionary psychology
B) Unified all social sciences
C) Ended evolutionary biology
D) Resolved nature-nurture debate
- 19. What year was E.O. Wilson's 'Sociobiology' published?
A) 1965
B) 1970
C) 1985
D) 1975
- 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) Functionalism
B) Structuralism
C) Behaviorism
D) Adaptationism
- 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) Stephen Jay Gould
B) Steven Pinker
C) E.O. Wilson
D) Richard Lewontin
- 24. What was the primary methodological approach criticized in sociobiology?
A) Laboratory experimentation
B) Extrapolation from animals to humans
C) Field observation
D) Mathematical modeling
- 25. Which concept was central to Wilson's sociobiology?
A) Quantum entanglement
B) Plate tectonics
C) Inclusive fitness
D) String theory
- 26. What was Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning book?
A) The Selfish Gene
B) The Origin of Species
C) On Human Nature
D) The Double Helix
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