PHIL 318

For academic year

Philosophy of Science

This course surveys the issues and positions in modern philosophy of science, beginning with a discussion of the history of philosophy of science from Logical Positivism to the present. We then discuss particular problems such as the problem of induction, the problem of scientific explanation, the debate between realists and anti-realists, and the relationship between the various natural and social sciences. 60% internal assessment, 40% examination.

Course overview

Points

20

Fees

$ -

International fees

$ -

Course offered in

trimester

Prerequisites

40 PHIL pts, including 20 pts from PHIL 200–299

Co-requisites

Restrictions

Taught by

The School of History, Philosophy, Political Science & Int'l Relations

Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

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Course learning objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

  1. explain in outline at least two of the central debates in contemporary philosophy of science;

  2. give in outline the central history of philosophy of science in the 20th Century;

  3. understand and explain the central arguments concerning the value of science (such as the argument concerning the underdetermination of theory by evidence, the theory-ladenness of observation, and the arguments concerning the problem of induction);

  4. apply what the student has learned in the course to information in the media concerning contemporary scientific theories and related issues.

Class representative

The class representative provides a useful way to communicate feedback to the teaching staff during the course. They also work with the VUWSA Education Office on any academic issues that arise in their course. Reps are elected by students by the third week of classes every trimester. Being a rep requires a weekly commitment.

The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington values te reo Māori. Students who wish to submit any of their assessments in te reo Māori must refer to The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy - PDF 134kb

He mea nui te reo Māori ki Te Herenga Waka. Ki te pīrangi koe ki te tuhituhi i ō aro matawai i roto i te reo Māori, tēnā me mātua whakapā atu ki te kaupapa here, The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy - PDF 134kb

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