CONFIDENTIAL

CS/JAN 2013/PHI454

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FINAL EXAMINATION

COURSE

HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

COURSE CODE

PHI454

EXAMINATION

JANUARY 2013

TIME

2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATFS

1.

This question paper consists of seven (7) questions.

2.

Answer any five (5) questions in the Answer Booklet. Start each answer on a new page.

3.

Do not bring any materials into the examination room unless permission is given by the
invigilator.

4.

Please check to make sure that this examination pack consists of:
i)
the Question paper
ii)
an Answer Booklet - provided by the Faculty

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

This examination paper consists of 4 printed pages
Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

CS/JAN 2013/PHI454

QUESTION 1
a)

Give three meanings of the word science.

(4 marks)

b)

Describe briefly the scientific method using a flowchart with some explanatory
remarks.
(10 marks)

c)

State three advantages and limitations of the scientific method.

(6 marks)

QUESTION 2
a)

"Knowledge is limitless because the objects of knowledge are without limit. But there
is a limit of truth in every object of knowledge, so that the pursuit of true knowledge is
not an endless search." Al-Attas
Comment on the above statement.
(6 marks)

b)

Give an epistemological definition of knowledge according to al-Attas. Elaborate on

the concept of meaning and system.
(6 marks)

c)

State and explain briefly the four sources and methods of knowledge.
(8 marks)

QUESTION 3
a)

Define the four (4) approaches to probability: a priori, a posteriori, the axiomatic
and the subjective.
(8 marks)

b)

Criticize each of them philosophically.

(4 marks)

c)

Explain the general idea behind conditional probability.

(4 marks)

d)

State and explain Bayes' Theorem. Give a suitable numerical example.

(4 marks)

Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

CS/JAN 2013/PHI454

QUESTION 4
Write short notes on any FOUR (4) of the following:
a)

Induction, deduction and abduction.

b)

The three levels of certainty of knowledge according to the Holy Quran: 'ilm al-yaqin,
'ain al-yaqin and haqq al-yaqin.

c)

Materialism and idealism.

d)

Systems.

e)

Theories of truth in western philosophy: correspondence, coherence and

pragmatic theories respectively.
Deterministic and probabilistic models.
(20 marks)

QUESTION 5
Write a short essay on a current issue in science.
(Draw a mind map or an outline of your essay before you write it.)
(20 marks)

QUESTION 6
Write short notes on all of the following:
a)

Aristotelian hierarchical worldview.

(6 marks)

b)

Aristotelian geocentric universe.

(6 marks)

c)

Galileo's telescopic observations of the Moon, Jupiter and the Sun.

(8 marks)

Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

CS/JAN 2013/PHI454

QUESTION 7
Write short notes on all of the following:
a)

Scientism.
(5 marks)

b)

Phenomenalism.
(5 marks)

c)

Alchemy and chemistry.

(5 marks)

d)

"The Watchmaker God."

(5 marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA

CONFIDENTIAL