“A little learning is a dangerous thing.” (Alexander Pope)
Explain what this statement means. Argue to the contrary to show that a little learning is not
dangerous. To what extent do you think learning can be a dangerous thing?
2 “Our belief in any particular natural law cannot have a safer basis than our unsuccessful
critical attempts to refute it.” (Karl Popper)
Explain what this statement means. Argue to the contrary that science may not proceed by
attempting to refute hypotheses. To what extent do you think this statement accurately reflects
the nature of scientific method?
3 It is ridiculous to treat the living body as a mechanism.
Explain what this statement means. Argue to the contrary. To what extent do you think this
apparent contradiction can be resolved?
4 Dolphins are very intelligent and so similar to humans that they are worthy of a special
ethical status: that of ‘non-human persons’.
Explain what this statement means. Argue to the contrary that dolphins should not be given
special ethical status. To what extent do you agree that intelligence and similarity to humans
bestows special ethical status?