- 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) E.O. Wilson
B) Stephen Jay Gould
C) Noam Chomsky
D) Richard Dawkins
- 3. Which of Wilson's books sparked the sociobiology controversy?
A) The Selfish Gene
B) The Diversity of Life
C) On Human Nature
D) Sociobiology: The New Synthesis
- 4. What academic field did sociobiology aim to create?
A) Study of social structures
B) Behavioral genetics
C) Evolutionary psychology
D) Biology of social behavior
- 5. What was the primary criticism against sociobiology?
A) Lack of empirical evidence
B) Religious bias
C) Biological determinism
D) Poor scientific methodology
- 6. In what decade did the sociobiology debate primarily occur?
A) 1980s
B) 1970s
C) 1950s
D) 1990s
- 7. What organization criticized sociobiology in a public statement?
A) Science for the People
B) American Civil Liberties Union
C) American Psychological Association
D) National Academy of Sciences
- 8. What concept did critics fear sociobiology would justify?
A) Environmental destruction
B) Scientific fraud
C) Social inequality
D) Political corruption
- 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) Neuroscience
B) Evolutionary psychology
C) Cognitive science
D) Molecular biology
- 11. What incident involved Wilson being doused with water?
A) 1978 AAAS meeting
B) Nobel Prize ceremony
C) Congressional hearing
D) Harvard commencement
- 12. What did critics call sociobiology?
A) Scientific justification for status quo
B) Revolutionary breakthrough
C) Religious dogma
D) Mathematical fiction
- 13. What aspect of science does Segerstrale focus on?
A) Technical details
B) Laboratory techniques
C) Mathematical foundations
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) Funding allocation processes
B) Laboratory safety protocols
C) Relationship between science and values
D) Peer review mechanics
- 16. What academic background did Segerstrale bring to this study?
A) Molecular biology
B) Economics
C) Sociology of science
D) Physics
- 17. What did critics fear about sociobiology's political implications?
A) Justification for discrimination
B) Promotion of communism
C) Support for anarchy
D) Advocacy for monarchy
- 18. What lasting impact did the sociobiology debate have?
A) Shaped evolutionary psychology
B) Unified all social sciences
C) Resolved nature-nurture debate
D) Ended evolutionary biology
- 19. What year was E.O. Wilson's 'Sociobiology' published?
A) 1970
B) 1965
C) 1985
D) 1975
- 20. Wilson's work was primarily based on studies of what?
A) Ants
B) Primates
C) Birds
D) Dolphins
- 21. Which concept did Gould and Lewontin criticize as 'just-so stories'?
A) Behaviorism
B) Functionalism
C) Structuralism
D) Adaptationism
- 22. What did Wilson argue about altruism?
A) It was always selfish
B) It didn't exist in animals
C) It was purely cultural
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) Richard Lewontin
D) E.O. Wilson
- 24. What was the primary methodological approach criticized in sociobiology?
A) Mathematical modeling
B) Extrapolation from animals to humans
C) Field observation
D) Laboratory experimentation
- 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 Double Helix
B) The Selfish Gene
C) The Origin of Species
D) On Human Nature
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