Keeping in mind the sources cited, discuss the credibility of the claim(s) made in the following passage:"'You hear in the folklore about miracles happening, but I have never seen one thing yet that could be called an actual medical cure,' says Douglas Sharon, a University of California, Los Angeles, anthropologist who has studied curandrismo [Peruvian folk medicine] on the north coast of Peru for 18 years."-From a National Geographic Magazine news feature

What will be an ideal response?


This seems a clear-cut case of good credibility; yet the feature goes on to point out that several other anthropologists, conducting a study for the National Institute of Mental Health, have found that in thirty-eight cases of nervousness, faintness or dizziness, poor appetite, nausea, and the like, the curanderos (the folk healers) were effective in thirty-five of the cases in alleviating all symptoms. Researchers tentatively suggest the curanderos use psychotherapeutic methods to eliminate psychosomatic symptoms in their patients. So part of the credibility rests on what one calls "an actual medical cure."

Philosophy & Belief

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What was at the core of Rousseau's philosophy?

a. He believed that humans were the same as animals at their core. b. He believed that animals had more of a soul than humans. c. He believed that humans have an intrinsic core or essence that distinguishes them from other animals. d. He believed that women were superior to men.

Philosophy & Belief

Cogito Ergo Sum means "I think, therefore I am"

Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

Philosophy & Belief

Patricia noticed that every time she set something on her kitchen counter, it ended up on the floor next to the cat. First she noticed this happened with a pencil, and then a marble. She thought it might be that the counter was sloped and round things rolled off, but then it happened to one of her cat's square catnip toys. She concluded that her dog was trying to get the cat in trouble.

Identify the hypothesis in the following argument; and, if it fails to meet the four criteria for good scientific hypotheses, state which criterion is violated, and explain your answer.

Philosophy & Belief

Logically necessary truths are examples of a posteriori knowledge.

a. true b. false

Philosophy & Belief