Your
assignment is to write a 3-5 page essay in which you use the tools
developed in class to examine and evaluate a pseudoscience.
You
should begin by picking a pseudoscience to examine. A google search or a
search on wikipedia will yield numerous results. Then you should employ
the SEARCH method to evaluate that pseudoscience. As a reminder, the
SEARCH method consists of four steps:- State the claim: what exactly is being claimed. We should try to be as detailed and clear as possible when we perform this step.
- Examine the Evidence
for the claim: what arguments are made on behalf of this claim? Are
they good arguments or bad arguments? Do the arguments commit any
fallacies?
- Consider Alternative
Hypotheses: are there any other possible explanations for the claim
being made, perhaps a simpler explanation (Ockham’s razor) or an
application of Hume’s maxim?
- Rate, according to the Criteria of adequacy, each Hypothesis:
We should apply our earlier criteria for evaluating and deciding
between competing hypotheses: Testability, Fruitfulness, Scope,
Simplicity, Conservatism.
Finally,
you will conclude the essay by describing an experiment that could test
the validity of that pseudoscience. Be sure to consider controlling
variables, the use of a control group, and double-blinding.
A successful essay will contain 7 paragraphs: - An
introductory paragraph in which you describe what you will be doing in
the essay and take a stand on the plausibility of the pseudoscience you
will be writing about. It might be helpful to offer a brief history of
the development of the pseudoscience here as well.
- A paragraph devoted to each of the four steps in the SEARCH method.
- A paragraph describing your experiment.
- A conclusion in which you summarize the essay and draw some conclusions about the validity of your pseudoscience.
The
essay should be typed, double-spaced in a 10-12 point legible font. In
addition to the final draft of the paper which is due on the last day of
class, Thursday, December 6, you
will also need to complete the following pre-writing assignments. Though
these assignments will not be graded, failure to participate in
them will result in an F on this essay:
- You will need to select a topic which you will bring to class on Tuesday, November 20.
- You will need to bring two copies of a
draft of your paper to class on Thursday, November 29 for in-class peer
editing.
|
|
