Philosophy of Sciences - 2nd semester
Code
711031058
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Filosofia
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Giovanni Damele, Pietro Gori
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
1. To identify rationality parameters operating in scientific practice and the philosophical concepts and principles sustaining it.
2. To identify the key scientific paradigms and their philosophical assumptions.
3. To recognize and spell out with accuracy the philosophical questions raised by scientific knowledge.
4. To get to know some of the most relevant literature in the field of philosophy of science.
5. To recognize the specificity of recent contributions within philosophy of science
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
The course is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on fundamental problems of the philosophy of science, e.g. (a) the relationship between science and philosophy; (b) the basic features of human knowledge, and of scientific knowledge in particular; (c) the problem of the scientific method and the development of science; (d) the question of explanation in science; (e) the problem of realism and anti-realism.
The second part of the course will deal with Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory, in the 160th year from the publication of “On the Origin of Species” (1859). The classes will explore the application of evolutionism to epistemology and ethics, with a special focus on the classics studies of Michael Ruse and Daniel Dennett.
Bibliography
Ladyman, J. (2002). Understanding Philosophy of Science, London and New York: Routledge.
Chalmers, A. (2013). What is This Thing Called Science? Queensland: Universoty of Queensland Press [4th edition].
Okasha, S. (2016). Philosophy of Science. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Ruse, M. (1998). Taking Darwin Seriously, New York: Prometheus Books.
Dennet, D. (1995). Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, London: Penguin.
Teaching method
The course will have a double explanatory and hands-on approach. There will be theoretical classes, designed to introduce and frame the ideas of several philosophers, as well as to formulate and expand the problems under review; and classes more focused on the analysis and discussion of the literature. Students will have access to the texts to be discussed and should prepare them before class.
In class teaching.
Evaluation method
1. One written test at the middle of the course (35%).
2. One written test at the end of the course (65%).