PHI230 - Philosophy of Science
Outline:The module will introduce and evaluate the competing views on the rationality of science proposed by Popper, Kuhn, and Lakatos. Rival accounts of explanation will be assessed, in particular the Deductive-Nomological Model and the Contrastive Model. We will also be asking whether our best scientific theories should be accepted as true (Scientific Realism), or whether we should be content with a more modest aim of fitting available data. The methodological issues will be illustrated by consideration of episodes in the history of science, in particular the Copernican Revolution in astronomy. |
Assessment:Two coursework essays (50%) and one two-hour exam (50%) |
Lecturer:George Botterill |
Lectures: Spring SemesterMon 2-3 Room: HI-LT10Thu 3-4 Room: MAPP-LT10 Seminars Mon 3-4 Room: RRB-A85 Thu 4-5 Room: JB-SR 215 |
Where to find more materials for this moduleTBC |