PHIL 265
PHIL 265: Philosophy of Science
Instructor: Hassan Masoud
Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to the philosophy of science. It consists of a critical examination of science with focus on both its methodology and its claims about reality. We discuss the nature of science and what distinguishes science from other attempts at making sense of the world. Different accounts of the scientific method are discussed and compared. It is investigated whether one can reasonably claim that scientific knowledge grows in a progressive way, and to what extent the study of the real practice of scientists and the history of science is significant for a philosophical account of science. We also critically assess the relation between scientific results and reality by discussing notions such as laws of nature, realism, and instrumentalism as well as the relation between scientific endeavors and current social values or predominant paradigms.
At the end of the term, you will be able to:
- Define key concepts in philosophy of science, such as experiment, explanation, prediction, and falsification.
- Explain the principal historical and contemporary theories of scientific method.
- Use concepts and principles central to philosophy of science to distinguish scientific explanations from non-scientific explanations.
- Explain and contrast the main views regarding the relationship of scientific theories to reality, such as realism, anti-realism, and instrumentalism.
- Explain and contrast the main views regarding the role of social values in scientific research and theory.
- Work collaboratively and individually, provide well-reasoned arguments for the acceptance or rejection of arguments and theories in the philosophy of science.