Course Catalogue

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This course will discuss philosophical questions connected to scientific theories and practice. What is the difference between science and pseudoscience? How do we learn and gain evidence for scientific theories? How do scientific theories explain, and what is explanation? We will examine the difference between science and pseudoscience, the epistemology of science, and the metaphysical implications of scientific theories and models.

16x1hr lectures; 4x1hr seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

Standard entry to Masters at College Level

PHIL4042 

None.

2 x Essays (2500 x words each) - 100%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ Discuss central arguments and debates in the Philosophy of Science.

■ Explain and describe central positions within the philosophy of science.

■ Connect philosophical questions about science to central questions in epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of language.

■ Analyse and evaluate arguments within philosophical text.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Connect central methodological and epistemological problems connected with scientific knowledge to broader questions in epistemology.

■ Understand the main positions concerning the truth and objectivity of science, and critically evaluate the implications these views have for positions in metaphysics and philosophy of language.

■ Clearly describe the key positions concerning the connection between different sciences and critically evaluate arguments for and against these views.

■ Critically evaluate claims regarding the reality of theoretical entities, the truth of scientific theories, and the metaphysical and ontological implications of these theories.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.