Richard Feynman Described a Group of Scientifically Uneducated Native Islanders

question 26

Multiple Choice

Richard Feynman described a group of scientifically uneducated native islanders who wanted to recreate the experience of cargo planes landing on their island during World War II. They built an imitation of a runway and huts in which a man wore wooden pieces on his head to imitate radio headphones. This example of a "cargo cult science" was used to illustrate how:

• A) practitioners of pseudoscience go through the motions of doing science, but actually are disconnected from the substance of science.
• B) scientifically uneducated people can be fooled into superstitious rituals that do not work to produce real effects.
• C) real science can advance the technology of scientifically uneducated people.
• D) people from scientifically sophisticated developed countries differ from the scientifically educated people of developing countries.

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Definitions:

Okakura Kakuzo

A Japanese scholar and art critic, known for his works that introduced and explained Asian art and philosophy to Western audiences in the early 20th century.

Tea-Ceremony

A ritualized form of making and drinking tea, especially in Japan, emphasizing aesthetics, spirituality, and social etiquette.

Water Jar

A container used for storing, carrying, and dispensing water, often made from materials such as clay, metal, or plastic.

Momoyama Period

The Momoyama period, occurring from 1573 to 1603 in Japan, is known for its political unification under strong daimyo and is noted for vibrant art, castle architecture, and the tea ceremony.