LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 2

Learning about science, and about scientific reasoning in the context of different sciences, including the social science, is an opportunity to reflect on the epistemological, logical and ontological traits that are at work in scientific reasoning and on why those traits purportedly make science an exemplar of rigorous and reliable inquiry for many disciplines (including some covered by the PISE degree: economics, sociology, politics, etc.).

- some historical understanding of the development of the philosophy of science as a discipline of inquiry between the 20th and 21st centuries

- acquisition of some basic terminology and concepts in the philosophy of science (analytic tradition)

- knowledge of some central debates in the philosophy of science

- some appreciation of the role of science in social debate

This course will not assume any knowledge either in philosophy of science or science. However, it is strongly recommended that the students attend the corse in their second year, as suggested in the study plan.

– Scientific method; logical formats, types and uses

– The role of experiment and observation in science

- The ontology of the natural and social world: the realism/anti-realism debates

- Scientific explanation: the role of scientific laws and the role of models

- Scientific objectivity: evidence and values

Introductory books in philosophy of science:
Ladyman, J. Understanding philosophy of science, Routledge 2002
Chalmers, D., What is this thing called science, (3rd edition 1999, Open University Press)
Okasha, S., Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction, OUP 2002

Reading material covering individual topics in the lecture course will be made weekly available on Moodle.

Final assessment is by a two-hours written examination. The exam will consist of three questions, each addressing an issue arisen from the topics discussed during the course. In each answer the student will have to demonstrate both a basic understanding of the issues and a capacity for answering each question in a well argued and focused manner. The grade received for the course depends on exam performance only. However, keeping up with the reading assigned for each lecture and, where possible, participating in discussion are the most effective ways to prepare for exams. It is also an effective way for students to monitor their strengths and weaknesses, and to discover and remedy gaps in their understanding, all in good time ahead of exams.

written

Each exam script will be graded within a range of 18 to 30/L.
Scripts below 18 will be graded as insufficient.

Regarding the grading scale for the oral exam:
A. Scores in the range of 18-22 will be assigned for:
- Sufficient knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Limited ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Sufficient communication skills.

B. Scores in the range of 23-26 will be assigned for:
- Fair knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Fair ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Fair communication skills.

C. Scores in the range of 27-30 will be assigned for:
- from good to very good knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- from good to very good ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Fully appropriate communication skills.

D. The “lode” (distinction) will be awarded to students with excellent knowledge and critical comprehension of the reading material and related topics.

Each topic will be introduced by the lecturer who will present the central aspects of the topic, the different perspectives from which to address it, and examples that illustrate the relevance of abstract theoretical reasoning to the practical understanding of scientific discourse. Questions and discussion are encouraged.
Practical exercises during the courses, and use of internet study aids will also be included.