15FLFL017 - Philosophy of Science

Course specification
Course title Philosophy of Science
Acronym 15FLFL017
Study programme Philosophy
Module
Type of study first degree undergraduate academic studies
Lecturer (for classes)
Lecturer/Associate (for practice)
Lecturer/Associate (for OTC)
    ESPB 6.0 Status
    Condition No additional requirements. Oblik uslovljenosti
    The goal The central aim of the course is to introduce the students to problems and main trends of the modern philosophy of science. This implies the development of systematic interests in the structure of scientific knowledge and ways of argumentation in science also the formation of the social-historical interest in the development of science. The study of philosophy of science combines logical, methodological, epistemological, historical and social considerations about science but it exposes also the problems of ethical and social responsibility of the scientists.
    The outcome The expectation attached to this course is that the students will be able to form a critical judgment about the main conceptions in the theory of science and that they will recognize the philosophical relevance of some scientific problems.
    Contents
    Contents of lectures Concept, subject and classification of philosophy of science. The history of philosophy of science. Main positions: positivism, conventionalism, operationalism, critical rationalism, the methodology of research programs, constructivism, historicism etc. The controversies in philosophy of science: positivism dispute, Popper vs. positivism, Feyerabend’s attack on science as an institution, Foucault’s archaeology of natural and human sciences. The concept of science. Division between science and metaphysics (philosophy). Natural and social sciences. Inter- and transdisciplinarity. History of science. The concept of paradigm and the idea of scientific revolutions. Social influence on the scientific work. The chances and limits of science. Pseudoscience and criticism of science. Science crisis. Science ethics.
    Contents of exercises In seminaries the students read and discuss the works of the main representatives of scientific philosophy (Comte, Popper, Kuhn, Feyerabend, Lakatos etc.).
    Literature
    1. Weber, M.: Science as a Vocation.
    2. Duhem, P.: The Aim and Structure of Physical Theory.
    3. Comte, A.: Course of Positive Philosophy.
    4. Kuhn, Th. S.: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
    5. Popper, K. R.: Conjectures and Refutations.
    6. Sesardić, N. (ed.): Philosophy of Science.
    7. Foucault, M.: The Order of Things.
    8. Hahn, H./O. Neurath/R. Carnap: The Scientific Conception of the World: The Vienna Circle.
    9. Husserl, E.: The Crisis of European Sciences and Transcendental Phenomenology.
    Number of hours per week during the semester/trimester/year
    Lectures Exercises OTC Study and Research Other classes
    2 1
    Methods of teaching Dialogical method, text analysis
    Knowledge score (maximum points 100)
    Pre obligations Points Final exam Points
    Activites during lectures 10 Test paper
    Practical lessons 20 Oral examination 50
    Projects
    Colloquia 20
    Seminars
    Vrh strane