PHIL202

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Course Summary

Course : PHIL202 Title : Philosophy of Science Length of Course : 8

Prerequisites : N/A Credit Hours : 3

Description

Course Description: Philosophy of Science will introduce students to the origins and development of modern science and how that is distinguished from pseudo-science; the importance of deduction and induction and their separate methodologies; the process of the scientific method; scientific change and scientific revolutions, particularly that of Thomas Kuhn; and selected philosophical problems in the basic sciences, such as absolute space, biological classification, the modular mind, and recent discoveries of neuroscience.

Course Scope:

PHIL202 Philosophy of Science addresses the underlying assumptions of modern science and the scientific method. Science is based on particular ontological, cosmological, and phenomenological principles which define the limits of scientific inquiry and place scientific methodologies in specific philosophical contexts. The course will consider the relationship between science as a philosophical perspective and other philosophical views, as well as the perspectives of contemporary philosophers who analyze science and scientific practices.

Objectives

After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Define how “science” can be distinguished from “true science,” “pseudo-science,” and “scientism.”
2. Describe the process of the scientific method in research and scientific investigation.
3. Describe the logical positivist philosophy of science.
4. Describe the structure of Thomas Kuhn’s “paradigm shift” and the rationality of science.
5. Compare and contrast the positions of Gottfried Leibniz and Isaac Newton on the issue of absolute space.
6. Identify the problems in scientific classification.
7. Identify current discoveries in neuroscience.
8. Compare and contrast the approaches of science and religion in seeking universal truths about the human condition.

Outline

Week 1: Science vs. Non- Science

Learning Objectives

Define how “science” can be distinguished from “true science,” “pseudo-science,” and “scientism.” Readings

Text Readings:

Chapters 1-2 in Theory and Reality

Popper (294-301) in Philosophy of Science: Contemporary Readings.

Aristotle, Posterior Analytics Book 1 Chapters 1-2, Book 2 Chapters 1-2 in From Aristotle to Einstein Web:

Firestein, Stuart. “The Pursuit of Ignorance.” TED Talks.

Web. 1 Jan.2014.

Assignment

Timeline Entry 1

Week 1 Forum

Quiz 1

Week 2: Methodology of Science

Learning Objectives

Describe the process of the scientific method in research and scientific investigation. Describe the logical positivist philosophy of science.

Readings

Text Readings:

Theory and Reality: Chs. 3-4 (39-74)

Philosophy of Science: Kitcher (71-91)

Early Writings: Bacon, “Preface” to Novum Organum

Assignment

Quiz 2

Week 2 Forum

Week 3: Scientific Revolutions

Learning Objectives

Describe the structure of Thomas Kuhn’s “paradigm shift” and the rationality of science. Readings

Text Readings:

Theory and Reality: Chapters 5- 6 (75-101)

Philosophy of Science: Shapere (410-420) and Kuhn (421-

437)

Early Writings: excerpts from Einstein on Relativity Theory

Assignment

Timeline Entry 2

Quiz 3

Week 3 Forum

Week 4: Alternatives to Kuhn and a Case Study

Learning Objectives

Compare and contrast the positions of Gottfried Leibniz and Isaac Newton on the issue of absolute space. Readings

Text Readings:

Theory and Reality: Chapter 7 (102-121)

Early Writings: Excerpts from Leibniz and Newton

Web:

Huggett, Nick, and Carl Hoefer. “Absolute and Relational Theories of Space and Motion.” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Ed. Edward N. Zalta. Web. 2009. 1 Jan. 2014.

“Space and Time Newton and Leibniz.” Interview with Frank Arntzenius. YouTube. 16 Nov. 2012. Web. 1 Jan. 2014.

Assignment

Essay Proposal Quiz 4

Week 4 Forum

Week 5: Beyond Philosophy of Science

Learning Objectives

Identify current discoveries in neuroscience.

Readings

Text Readings:

Theory and Reality: Chapters 8- 9 (122-148)

Philosophy of Science: Contemporary Readings: Anderson (459-488) Web:

Longino, Helen, “The Social Dimensions of Scientific Knowledge.” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Ed. Edward N. Zalta. 2013. Web. 1 Jan. 2014.

Assignment

Timeline Entry 3

Quiz 5

Week 5 Forum

Week 6: Philosophical and Scientific Naturalism

Learning Objectives

Compare and contrast the approaches of science and religion in seeking universal truths about the human condition.

Readings

Text Readings:

Theory and Reality: Chapters 10-11 (149-172)

Philosophy of Science: Contemporary Readings: Hanson (321-340) Web:

Papineau, David. “Naturalism.” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Ed. Edward N. Zalta. 22 Feb. 2007. Web. 1

Jan. 2014.

Assignment

Quiz 6

Week 6 Forum

Week 7: Scientific Realism and Explanation

Learning Objectives

Identify the problems in scientific classification. Readings

Text Readings:

Theory and Reality: Chapters 12-13 (173-201)

Philosophy of Science: Contemporary Readings: Van Fraasen (56-70) Assignment

Timeline Entry 4 Research Essay Quiz 7

Week 7 Forum

Week 8: Philosophy of Science Today

Learning Objectives

Define how “science” can be distinguished from “true science,” “pseudo-science,” and “scientism.” Describe the process of the scientific method in research and scientific investigation.

Describe the logical positivist philosophy of science.

Describe the structure of Thomas Kuhn’s “paradigm shift” and the rationality of science. Readings

Text Readings:

Theory and Reality: Chapters 14-15 (202-231)

Philosophy of Science: Contemporary Readings: Salmon (385-401)

Assignment

Research Presentation

Quiz 8

Forum discussion

Evaluation

Reading Assignments: You are expected to keep up with course reading in order to successfully complete discussions forums and assignments. The required reading for each week is listed in the Readings and Resources section of the lesson.

Supplemental Readings: Links to additional resources may be provided in the online classroom. These are recommended to deepen your understanding of course materials, but are not required to complete basic assignments, such as discussion forums. They will be especially helpful in writing your essays.

Forum Assignments: Each course week will include 1 discussion forum based on that week’s lessons and readings. You are required to post an initial 250-word response to the discussion prompt no later than Thursday; you must also post 2 substantive peer responses (100+words) to another student’s post no later than Sunday. Discussion boards will be graded based on length, thoughtfulness, and relevance.

Homework Assignments: Each course week will include homework assignments. These assignments may include summaries of readings, study questions, or activities related to developing the final research paper (below). Detailed evaluation criteria for each assignment are included with the assignment instructions.