HISTORICAL EPISTEMOLOGY

A general introduction to historical epistemology and reading of a classic.

Can we understand science in historical terms? Can we address the history of science in philosophical terms? This is the dual task of historical epistemology. This class aims to introduce to the students the main themes and the most significant currents of historical epistemology by focusing on specific topics.

Students will be introduced to a series of philosophical texts which will familiarize him or her with the main authors as well as with the problems and perspectives that have been developed within the historical-epistemological debates.

For the specific focus of this year see the list in the Italian course description

• To introduce students to the main currents and problems of historical epistemology, seen as the last great attempt to organically connect history of science and philosophy of science.
• To address crucial themes of historical epistemology, namely the philosophical and cultural significance of the history of scientific thought and the relationship between abstract universality and the historicity of science.
• To become acquainted with key thinkers, sources and themes of historical and political epistemology.
• To become capable of analyzing and discussing philosophical sources and critically interpret them.

• Enthusiasm and readiness to engage with challenging philosophical readings.
• A fair knowledge of English, for certain didactic materials as well as in case of meeting with foreign scholars in some of the classes.

This class is divided into two parts:

1. a general introduction to the main themes and authors of historical epistemology (a historical-theoretical approach to science that brings together its history of science and the philosophy of science)
2. a reflection on the science-philosophy-history nexus on the basis of a series of readings of reference texts

Massimiliano Badino, Gerardo Ienna e Pietro Daniel Omodeo, Epistemologia storica: Correnti, temi e problemi (Roma: Carocci, 2022) and other texts, relative to Italian pathways to historical epistemology, as indicated in the Italian version of the syllabus.

Learning will be tested through a final oral examination based on the course texts in which the students' analytical capacity, their understanding of the texts and their critical thinking on the years' topics will be assessed.

oral

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:
- Good or excellent knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Good or excellent ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Fully appropriate communication skills.

D. The “laude” will be awarded to students with excellent knowledge and comprehension of the textbooks and related topics.

The teaching will be divided
• in a part of frontal teaching, in which the professor will introduce students to the topics of the course,
• and in a dialogic-seminar part, in which students will interact with their classmates and the professor on the basis of texts they have been assigned and they have to read in preparation for the lessons.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development