Commentary: Science at the Bar – Causes for Concern

Larry Laudan

Overview specifically address each property within this argument? Larry Laudan challenges Michael Ruse head on in this commentary on Ruse's article (and the ruling of 4. What is Laudan's basic argument against the Judge Overton in the trial from which Ruse's article properties in the lawlikeness family? How does follows). Laudan views the ruling as having been he specifically address each property within this guilty of a mischaracterization of science, and a argument? dangerous one at that. Although Laudan thinks the 5. Despite thinking that Overton and Ruse got their correct verdict was reached, he does not believe it justification wrong, Laudan does believe that was reached for good reasons. creation-science should be kept out of the Laudan responds carefully to the five properties classroom. Why? given by Ruse. He breaks them into two families. The 6. What is Laudan's basic conclusion regarding the first has to do with lawlikeness and explanatory actions of Ruse and Overton? What comparison power. The second family has to do with testability does he make between the pro-science forces and and falsification. He proceeds to challenge each creationists? family separately, and he concludes that Ruse and Overton got it wrong – it isn't that creation-science isn't science, but rather that creation science is bad science. Challenge Questions

1. Can you see connections between the responses Reading Questions Laudan gives and the various readings we have done in the course? The following questions are meant to guide and assist you in reading Laudan’s article. They will draw your 2. How effective is Laudan's commentary? Who has attention to key passages and challenge you to think it right – Ruse or Laudan? (Or neither?) about what Laudan is really trying to say. Although 3. How would you respond to Laudan if you were no page numbers are given, the questions come Ruse? roughly in the order that you will find their answers in the text.

1. Which two properties from Ruse does Laudan characterize as belonging to the family of lawlikeness and explanatory power?

2. Which three properties from Ruse does Laudan characterize as belonging to the family of testability and falsification?

3. What is Laudan's basic argument against the properties in the testability family? How does he