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Final Paper
In the above link, you will find an op-ed from the New York Times, 7 Feb. 2005, by Michael Behe, in which Behe argues for intelligent design as an alternative to evolution theory. On the basis of what you have read in Kitcher and Kuhn, and their respective axiologies, write a ONE PAGE paper arguing for ONE of the following three theses:
1. Intelligent Design as proposed by Behe is not a scientific theory.
2. It is a very bad scientific theory
3. It is a viable alternative scientific theory to evolutionary theory as it is researched today.
If you have a fourth possible thesis, let me know first.
Your paper must be double spaced in a standard 12 point font. I will not read past the 1st page. Hence, you must be very clear and careful in what you say. Do not waste words and write well. Grammar, spelling, and style WILL influence your grade.
Do one of the following four:
1. Here is a typical Babylonian mathematical problem. Provide a full commentary on it (i.e. explain the mathematics).
| line | YBC 6967 |
| Obverse Side: | |
| 1 | The igibûm exceeded the igûm by 7. [see note below] |
| 2 | What are the igûm and the igibûm? |
| 3-5 | As for you--halve, by which the igibûm exceeded the igûm, and the result is 3:30. |
| 6-7 | Multiply together 3;30 with 3;30, and the result is 12;15. |
| 8 | To 12;15, which resulted for you, |
| 9 | add 1,0, the product, and the result is 1,13;15. |
| 10 | What is the square root of 1,13;15? Answer: 8;30. |
| 11 | Lay down 8;30 and 8;30, its equal, and then |
| Reverse Side: | |
| 1-2 | subtract 3;30, the takîltum, from the one, |
| 3 | add it to the other. |
| 4 | One is 12, the other 5. |
| 5 | 12 is the igibûm, and 5 the igûm. |
Note that the igûm and igibûm are reciprocals of one another (x = 1/y), although here the condition is really a little more general, xy = 1 or 1,0 or 1,0,0, etc. Note that it may be good to start with either 1,0 or 1. In other words, either xy = 1,0 = 60 or xy = 1.
2. Using what you have learned from the class notes and McMullin's paper, determine whether Babylonian astronomy a science in the sense of Kitcher? Justify your answer.
3. Using a SAROS period, calculate the next ten lunar eclipses. Recall that A VERY total lunar eclipse visible in L.A. was about 8:30 PM on 20 Jan. 2000 (Julian Date: 2451564.6875). It will be relatively easy to calculate the days from this event. The trickier thing will be to convert these to the Gregorian Calendar. Explain your procedure.
4. Using class notes and Lloyd's description of Milesian Science, do the activities of Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes constitute scientific activity in the sense of Kitcher? Justify your answer.
The paper topics should explain what you intend to write on, the thesis you intend to present. what books and articles you intend to use. This will be graded. So you should be as complete as possible.