Based only on the information given in this biography, discuss the credibility and authority of the person described on each of the topics in the list that follows:James A. Van Allen received a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Iowa in 1939. During World War II, he was a gunnery officer with the Pacific Fleet. After the war, he returned to the University of Iowa, where he became professor of physics and chairman of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. In 1958, during the mission of Explorer 1, the first successful U.S. Earth satellite, he discovered the radiation belts surrounding the Earth, that are named for him. He was the principal investigator for the space probe of Jupiter's radiation belts and one of the discoverers of the radiation belts of Saturn. He was chairman of the
group that developed the Voyager and Galileo space missions and is currently principal investigator for the Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 projects.a. the number of women employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administrationb. the uses of satellites for national security purposesc. the biological effects of ultraviolet radiationd. the structure of comet tailse. recent geological activity along faults in southern Californiaf. the impact of a manned space station on science and technology
What will be an ideal response?
We assume Van Allen's opinions on (f) would be very informed. He would also have great credibility on (d) and only slightly less on (c). His remarks on (b) would carry more weight than those of a layperson, but we would need further information about him before regarding him as an authority on (a) or (e).
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Identify the main point or issue in the following passage, and decide whether the rest of the passage offers reasons for the main point (such as, whether the passage contains an argument), whether it illustrates (provides examples for) the main point, whether it explains the point, is irrelevant to the point, and so on."Luckily, most decisions can be reassessed. Even decisions that seem monumental can often be altered. Suppose you decided to live off campus because it offered more privacy and independence as well as a change from campus residential living. However, you discovered that your expenses were greater, you didn't like to cook for yourself, and you got lonely. Or suppose you chose to major in nursing because you thought you would always be able to find a job in that career. But
halfway through your coursework, you found you didn't like science, practicum labs interfered with your family time, and the sight of blood made you ill."-D. G. Longman et al., Strategic Thinking and Reading What will be an ideal response?
When we don't have access to information about whether a claim is credible, we can
Which rule of inference allows one to include a statement in the overall deduction
that is not already present in the premises?
a. simplification b. conjunction c. addition d. hypothetical syllogism
Spinoza seeks a good that:
a. is temporary. b. changes its nature. c. can be affected by external causes. d. all of these choices. e. none of these choices.