Objectives and competences
The objective of this course is to enable the students to understand the core issues of the scientific method and main problems of the philosophy of science (natural and social).
Students will be able to critically reflect the role of science.
Content (Syllabus outline)
• The problem of scientific method: logical empiricism, Popper , Kuhn
• Forms of scientific explanation and ways leading to scientific discoveries: induction, deduction, hypotheses, experiments, confirmation and rejection.
• The role of scientific laws: basic features of laws, laws of nature and other laws.
• Structure of scientific theories: theories and models, theoretical and empirical in science, content and formulation of theories, relation between theories and reality, changing and complementing scientific theories.
• Scientific (anti)realism
Learning and teaching methods
• Lectures
• Seminar and discussion
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
On completion of this course the student will be able to:
• Knowledge and understanding: identify underlying issues in all kinds of debates, sensitively interpret texts drawn from a variety of ages and traditions, express and formulate complex and controversial problems precisely.
• Use and analysis: analyse and construct sound arguments and recognise logical fallacies, methodological errors, rhetorical devices or unexamined conventional wisdom, invent or discover cases to support or challenge a position, and distinguish those that are relevant from those that are not.
Synthesis and evaluation: critically examine and independently formulate the best arguments for variety of positions and look for their weakest parts, evaluate views and arguments of others tolerantly and openly, conceptualize her own philosophical activity.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Communication skills: oral expression at oral exam, writing expression at completing colloquiums, writing expression at making a seminar, writing expression at doing house works, oral expression at collaborating in a discussion, presentation.
Use of information technology: search for information on the internet.
Problem solving: scientific-philosophical problems.
Readings
Bird, A. in Ladyman, J. (ur). (2012): Arguing About Science. London: Routledge.
Godfrey-Smith, P. 2003. Theory and Reality. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Okasha, S. (2008): Filozofija znanosti: zelo kratek uvod. Ljubljana, Krtina.
Rosenberg. A. 2016. Philosophy of Social Science. 5th. Westview Press.
Ule, A. (1992): Sodobne teorije znanosti, Znanstveno in publicistično središče, Ljubljana.
Prerequisits
Prerequisits for acceding the course:
None.
Conditions for prerequisits:
Passing grade of the seminar is required for taking the exam.
Additional information on implementation and assessment Type (examination, oral, coursework, project):
• Oral examination - 60 %
• Written seminar - 20 %
• Active participation - 20 %
