Chapter 1: Prologue

(Press the TAB key to position the cursor at the beginning of the first blank and type what you believe completes the thought. Then press the TAB key for feedback and to move to the next blank. If you miss it, delete all of the word by positioning the cursor with the mouse and backspacing over all of the letters and try again. You should be able to complete this exercise without error before completing this chapter.)

SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE: Select from the list of AUTHORITY, INTUITION, REASON, SENSORY DATA the one which is best associated with each of the following statements: Which is directly imparted, extrasensory knowledge? Which is akin to mathematical proof? Which is most closely related to personal revelation? Which is most essential to science, i.e., without which science cannot function or be said to exist as a process? Which requires self-evident truths as a starting point? Which would best describe leaders, scriptures, or organizations? SELF-EVIDENT TRUTHS: Choose from the list EXISTENCE, CAUSALITY, POSITION SYMMETRY, TIME SYMMETRY, NONCONTRADICTION, OCCAM to label the following statements: Of two contradictory propositions, both cannot be true. If several alternate explanations of any phenomenon are available, all apparently equal in their ability to account for the facts and all equally logical, then the basis for choosing among them shall be simplicity. There exists a physical world separate and distinct from our minds which is knowable through our senses and which is governed by certain generalities called the laws of nature. The laws of nature are the same everywhere in the universe. The laws of nature have remained the same through time. Events in the physical universe have natural causes which always precede them in time and which can be explained rationally in terms of the laws of nature. From the list of AQUINAS, ARISTOTLE, COPERNICUS, GALILEO, NEWTON, and PLATO label the following identifying statements: Developed the Pythagorean idea of an orderly universe in which the sun, moon, and other heavenly objects orbited the earth in perfect circles. Identified the five elements of which the universe was constructed as earth, water, air, fire, and quintessence. Reconciled the Greek model of the universe (cosmology) with Christianity. Proposed a model of the solar system in which the earth and other planets circled the sun and contradicted the Greek/Christian model of the middle ages. Came into conflict with the Catholic Church for promoting the Copernican model and was forced to "abjure, curse, and detest the aforesaid errors and heresies..." Introduced a law of gravity to give a mathematical understanding of the motion of the planets about the sun and confirm the Copernican model.

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