USNA 287A Written Response Questions

Jan. 22

Compare, contrast, and react critically to the Theistic and Anthropic Principles.

Theistic Principle: The Universe is the way it is in order that we exist.

Anthropic Principle: The properties of our universe must be suited for life in order for us to be here to observe it.

Note: This is not an either-or litmus test. While you might prefer one over the other, you don't have to. You can like both, or dislike both, so long as you thoughtfully justify your position.

Jan. 29

Succinctly express the known cosmological opinions of the assigned philosopher. Please find something beyond what is in the book where possible. (See, e.g., the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. This is helpful, but a library would be more helpful.)

Emphasize what you find compelling, and critique what you find incredulous.

Come prepared to describe the opinions of your philosopher to your fellow students.

Feb. 5

Consider the arguments for and against both a geocentric and heliocentric cosmology. Identify one or two that you consider crucial and potentially decisive.
Examples include, but are not limited to,

the motion (or apparent lack thereof) of the earth,

the diurnal rising and setting motion of the stars,

the absence of observed parallax among the stars,

the motion of the planets relative to the stars (prograde and retrograde),

the distinction between inferior and superior planets, and

the phases of Venus.

Pick ONE of Ptolemy, Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, and Gallileo and evaluate how persuasive you find the case they make on your chosen issue. Try to place your evaluation in the context of what was known then, not now. [Only Galileo had the benefit of a telescope.] You should consider the role of personality and the social and religious context in which your chosen astronomer worked when contemplating how each might weigh the import of your chosen strand of evidence.

Feb. 12

Compare and contrast the nature of Space according to Descartes and Newton.

Which of their attitudes more closely resembles your own?

Mar. 19

Inflation is said to solve the horizon and coincidence/flatness problems.

Do you feel that these are really problems in need of solution?

Why or why not?

What questions do these problems raise for you?

Mar. 26

An overwhelming amount of evidence suggests that the visible mass does not add up to enough total mass in many extragalactic systems.

Possible explanations for these mass discrepancies include (1) dark matter and (2) modified gravity.

Philosophically, does (1) or (2) seem preferable? Why?

Does is matter what the dark matter is? i.e., normal but non-luminous matter vs. some entirely new form of particle?

For an overview of dark matter, see this recent article or this modest primer.

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