Undergraduate Course: Philosophy, Science and Policy (PHIL10208)
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 | This course covers Philosophy of Science, and in particular a range of topics in philosophy of science that have direct relevance to science policy. |
| Course description |
The aim of this course is to introduce a range of topics in philosophy of science and show their relevance to debates on science-policy. For example, how are scientific models used to make projections? Which policy decisions do they license? What is the inter-relation between scientific evidence, causation and decision-making?
In the weekly "Science Policy Lab" tutorials and associated seminar and lecture, topics covered include: the role of science advisors, science and values, climate science, epidemiological modelling and predictions, ethnobotany, traditional knowledge, cultural rights, among others.
We will read landmark science policy reports from agencies such as the United Nations, UNESCO, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), among many others; we will practice science policy writing and discuss underlying philosophical themes.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017) AND
Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students who have not taken Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017) and Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014) must gain permission from the Course Organiser before enrolling on this course.
Students studying on MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) and students outside Philosophy degrees are permitted to take this course without having met the Philosophy pre-requisites of Mind, Matter and Language and Knowledge and Reality which are for Philosophy students only. However, it is advisable that students discuss the suitability of the course with their PT and the course organiser before enrolling.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have completed at least 3 Philosophy courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses. Applicants should note that, as with other popular courses, meeting the minimum does NOT guarantee admission. **Please note that 3rd year Philosophy courses are high-demand, meaning that they have a very high number of students wishing to enrol in a very limited number of spaces.** These enrolments are managed strictly by the Visiting Student Office, in line with the quotas allocated by the department, and all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. It is not appropriate for students to contact the department directly to request additional spaces. |
| 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 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
196 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
1 Essay (2,500 words) 60%
1 science-policy report (2,000 words) 40% |
| Feedback |
Formative essay before summative essay
Use the weekly class tutorials to discuss/prepare for topics that can become the object of the science-policy report |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of a relevant area in philosophy of science
- Demonstrate critical skills and writing skills in philosophy
- Effectively write a science policy report
- Effectively communicate about complex topics in science
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Reading List
Representative readings:
Douglas, Heather 2009, Science, Policy, and the Value-Free Ideal, Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press.
Elliott, Kevin (2011) Is a Little Pollution Good for You? Incorporating Societal Values in Environmental Research. New York: Oxford University Press.
Harding, Sandra, 2015, Objectivity and Diversity: Another Logic of Scientific Research, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Kitcher, Philip (2001) Science, Truth and Democracy (OUP)
Longino, Helen E., 1990, Science as Social Knowledge, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Winsberg, Eric (2018) Philosophy and Climate Science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Critical thinking
Effective communicators
Able to cross disciplinary boundaries between humanities and the sciences |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Michela Massimi
Tel: (0131 6)50 3662
Email: Michela.Massimi@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Peter Cruickshank
Tel: (131 6)50 3961
Email: peter.cruickshank@ed.ac.uk |
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