PH1525: SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY I (2014-2015)

This course will introduce students to the central topics in philosophy of science. It will allow students to locate and utilise relevant secondary material and develop skills of reasoning and debating. Students will acquire knowledge of philosophy of science. Students will critically engage with central texts, debates and issues in philosophy of science and articulate one's ideas clearly and systematically in written form and discussion.
The fruits of scientific research are all around us, from news about 'God particles' to medical treatments and consumer goods. Scientific research appears to be a particularly effective and reliable way of gaining empirical knowledge. Science is often portrayed as an essentially rational enterprise in which as yet unproven hypotheses are put to rigorous tests by means of systematic observations and sophisticated experiments. The result of this enterprise is the gradual accumulation of knowledge about natural processes and the laws of nature, or so it may seem. But is there really a uniform scientific method that leads us to reliable empirical knowledge? Or are scientists inevitably bound by paradigms, ways of thinking and doing that constrain what they research and how they interpret the data? Do we have reasons to belief that our best confirmed scientific theories are true? Do theoretical entities like electrons exist or are they conceptual tools for research? Are scientific explanations in some sense 'objective' or do they merely provide us with a warm feeling of understanding? What makes a scientific explanation good or bad? These questions are among the most central in philosophy of science and they will be the focus of this introductory course.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

View PH1525 Timetable

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt One 2000 word essay (50%) and one two-hour written examination (50%) Resit One 2000 word essay (100%) In line with School Policy, failure to submit a component piece of assessed work, or submitting a token piece, will result in the withdrawal of the class certificate (students are not eligible for resit).

feedback on essays; individually arranged conversations during office hours/by appointment;

written on essay and marking sheet; office hours/appointment;

None.