Philosophy of Science

Academic year 2011-12

Date last modified

23-4-2012 1:29

Period

Period 2		Startdate:	31-Oct-11		Enddate:	23-Dec-11
Period 5		Startdate:	09-Apr-12		Enddate:	01-Jun-12

Code

COR1002

ECTS credits

5.0

Organisational unit

University College Maastricht

Coordinator

P. Vermeer

Description

Starting from classical positions on the objectivity and methodology of science, such as those of logical empiricism and critical rationalism, the so called historical and sociological turn in the theory of science will be analyzed. Students will learn about the work of Kuhn, whose paradigm theory of science revolutionized thinking about scientific knowledge. Topics to be dealt with count: What counts as a scientific explanation? What is the role of theories and experiments in science? How can we conceive of scientific progress? The course also focuses on issues such as differences in styles and culture among the sciences, and the implications these have for our concept of the nature of science.

Goals

To acquaint students with the foundations of the sciences, especially with different philosophical interpretations of the nature of science.

Instruction language

Prerequisites

Recommended literature

• Chalmers, D. (1999). What is This Thing Called Science? • E-reader

Teaching methods

PBL
PRESENTATION(S)
LECTURE(S)
ASSIGNMENT(S)
PAPER(S)

Assessment methods

FINAL PAPER
ATTENDANCE
PARTICIPATION
WRITTEN EXAM
ORAL EXAM
TAKE HOME EXAM

Key words