Undergraduate Course: Science, Nature, and Social Values (PHIL10171)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course, consisting of lectures and seminars, addresses some central issues in contemporary philosophy of science. How does science represent nature? And to what extent do social values and human interests enter into the scientific image? Looking at the debate on natural kinds (across the physical, life and social sciences), but also at long-standing controversies on the nature of causation and laws of nature, this course explores the extent to which scientific investigation of nature might (or might not) be shaped by us as human agents with specific values and interests. |
| Course description |
Scientific research always rests on a conception of the natural world, and these have changed throughout the history of science, being influenced by human cultures, economic conditions, and values. In this course we will examine a range ideas of nature that have been influential in the history of science and have been presented and debated by philosophers. We will consider both the ethical and aesthetic values that have shaped scientific ideas of nature, and the way that philosophers¿ reflections on science have contributed to debates around values and the natural world. Though the focus of this course is historical, it has much relevance to current environmental concerns.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
Philosophy of Science 1 (PHIL08005)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 Philosophy courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 45 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Midterm essay (1500 words): 40%
Final essay (2500 words): 60%
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| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of central debates in philosophy of science
- Learn and understand relevant scientific topics
- Articulate reasons for defending or rejecting specific philosophical views
- Acquire the ability to bring scientific topics to bear on philosophical views
- Improve skills in writing (esp. clarity and originality) and argumentation
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Reading List
Canguilhem, G. (1989) The Normal and the Pathological. Zone Books.Daston, L. (2019) Against Nature MIT PressHadot, Pierre. 2006. The Veil of Isis: An essay on the history of the idea of nature. Translated by Michael Chase. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Mazviita Chirimuuta
Tel:
Email: m.chirimuuta@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Veronica Vivi
Tel:
Email: Veronica.Vivi@ed.ac.uk |
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