Postgraduate Course: Philosophy of Science (PHIL11227)
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 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course aims to introduce you to a number of perennially-interesting and enduringly relevant issues from the philosophy of science. No previous scientific, philosophical or logical expertise is required and any technical / unfamiliar terms will be defined as we go.
Please note auditing is not allowed on this course. Students must only take for credit. |
| Course description |
Philosophy enables the critical assessment of the assumptions and methods of science, it clarifies scientific concepts and fosters dialogue between different sciences. On our journey of evaluating the role of philosophy in science, we will consider some of the following key questions:
- What is the problem of induction, chiefly associated with Hume?
- What is Poppers falsificationism all about?
- What is scientific explanation?
- What is scientific measurement? Which accounts of measurement are best?
- How should we conceive of probability? What is Bayes Theorem and what can it tell us about the confirmation of theories?
- What are scientific realism and scientific anti-realism? What arguments can be made for or against realist and anti-realist views of science?
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| 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: 12 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
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) |
Students will be assessed by weekly participation (5%), a poster (15%) and a 3000 word essay at the end of the semester (80%). For further information about assessments and requirements, see the relevant assessment tab on the course Learn page.«br /»
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| Feedback |
Students have the opportunity to submit a formative essay. The essay cannot be draft of the summative essay but it can be on the same topic.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- grasp fundamental issues in the philosophy of philosophy of science
- critically analyse and engage with literature by key philosophers in this field.
- understand how empirical and scientific work can support philosophical arguments, and be able to use data derived therefrom in their essays and arguments.
- present arguments clearly and concisely both within a classroom context and in a 3000 word essay.
- gain transferable skills in research, analysis and argumentation
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Reading List
Readings for lectures will be available in LEARN.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | philosophy of science,epistemology |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Eli Lichtenstein
Tel:
Email: Eli.Lichtenstein@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Sabina Ali
Tel: (0131 6) 50 4400
Email: Sabina.Ali@ed.ac.uk |
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