PHIL 209(F) Philosophy of Science
It is a generally held belief, in our times and culture, that science is the best
source of our knowledge of the world, and of ourselves. The aim of this course is
to examine the origins, grounds, and nature of this belief. We will analyze and
discuss various accounts of scientific method, structure and justification of
scientific theories, scientific choice, change, and the idea that scientific knowledge is progressive. The course will begin with the "received view" of scientific
theories, methods, and knowledge, advanced by logical positivists, which assumes the objectivity and the rationality of science. We will then discuss philosophies of science that emerged out of various criticisms of this view-especially
those of Popper, Lakatos, Kuhn and Feyerabend-and the challenges to the assumptions of scientific objectivity and rationality their works provoked. This
discussion will naturally lead us to the relativist and social-constructivist views
developed within contemporary science studies. Finally, we will analyze the
current debate about the cognitive credentials of science and the proper approach to the study of science, which came to be known as "the science wars."
Requirements: frequent short assignments, class presentation, class participation, and a longer (5-7 pages) term paper.
Prerequisites: Philosophy 102; or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 19
(expected: 19).