Course Catalogue

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This course will discuss philosophical questions connected to scientific theories and practice. We will examine the difference between science and pseudoscience, the epistemology of science, and the metaphysical implications of scientific theories and models.

16x1hr lectures; 4x1hr seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in Philosophy and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Philosophy, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

None.

None.

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ 1 x Long Essay (2000 words) - 55%

■ 1 x Short Essay (1000 words) - 25%

■ 5 x short written pieces (200 words each) that will comprise a portfolio - 20%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course aims to:

■ Critically examine the central topics in philosophy of science.

■ Provide a solid foundational understanding for further study in philosophy of science and connected fields.

■ Familiarize students with a variety of perspectives on the methodology and aims of science and the connections between scientific disciplines.

■ Encourage students to think critically about connections between scientific methodology and central debates in epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of language with a focus on reasoning and argumentation.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Identify the central methodological and epistemological problems concerned with scientific knowledge and practice.

■ Identify the main positions concerning the truth and objectivity of science, and articulate the reasoning behind these views.

■ Explicate the key positions concerning the connection between different sciences and articulate arguments for and against these views.

■ Critically evaluate claims regarding the reality of theoretical entities, the truth of scientific theories, and the metaphysical and ontological implications of these theories.