Tuesday: 13:15 - 14:30
Thursday: 13:15 - 14:30
Room: MB-3.270
Course description:
This course is an introduction to the main issues in the philosophy of science. We will discuss the relationship between science and philosophy, the nature of science, the role of the scientific method, whether demarcation criteria for distinguishing science from pseudo-science can be formulated, scientific explanation, metaphysics and epistemology of scientific theories, confirmation of laws and scientific theories, whether there are limits of applicability of scientific theories, growth of scientific knowledge and the question of an end of science, scientific changes and revolutions. We will also examine special topics in the philosophy of physics (philosophical implications of the theory of relativity, quantum paradoxes as an indication of the need for a deeper understanding of the wave-particle duality) and biology (whether biology can be reduced to chemistry and ultimately to physics, natural selection, evolutionary versus teleological and theological explanations).
Required texts:
1. S. Okasha, Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, Oxford 2002).
2. Lecture notes and public domain texts which will be emailed to all.
Recommended text:
V. Petkov, Relativity and the Nature of Spacetime, 2nd ed. (Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 2009); the first edition of the book, which can be also used (for most of the material that will be covered in class), is on reserve in the Webster Library.
Additional texts:
1. A. Bird, Philosophy of Science (McGill-Queen's University Press, Montreal 1998).
Papers and grading:
The term paper, which is necessary for the completion of this course, should demonstrate students' ability to analyze the issues they are writing on (mere descriptions should be avoided). All assignments must take into account the requirements for papers which are available online. Papers are to be submitted on the due date (the last class of this course); email submissions are not accepted. Late submissions will result in lowering the grade by five marks per day (including holidays and weekends). Students should keep copies of their work.
Final grades are based on the following:
Mid-term exam.................................................................35%
Final exam........................................................................45%
Research paper (8-10 pages, due 2 December).................20%
Office Hours:
Monday 13:00 - 14:00, Science College, Loyola Campus, Room SP 365.01
Thursday 14:30 - 15:30, Liberal Arts College (2040 Mackay Street), Room RR-104.
Tuesday, 7 September
Thursday, 9 September
Introduction. Why philosophy of science?
Tuesday, 14 September
Thursday, 16 September
On the nature of science. The scientific method and the demarcation problem.
Tuesday, 21 September
Thursday, 23 September
Scientific reasoning. Explanation in science. Explanation and causality.
Tuesday, 28 September
Thursday, 30 September
Scientific reasoning and explanation in action I. The enigma of time and its philosophical implications.
Tuesday, 5 October
Thursday, 7 October
Scientific reasoning and explanation in action II. The birth of modern science - from absolute to relative motion.
Tuesday, 12 October
Thursday, 14 October
Philosophical implications of the theory of relativity. On the ontology and nature of spacetime. Becoming, flow of time, and free will. Recent attempts to save the objectivity of becoming and time flow.
Tuesday, 19 October - Relativity and scientific explanation. Is a 100% explanation possible? Relativity and confirmation of scientific theories.
Thursday, 21 October - Mid-term exam.
Tuesday, 26 October
Thursday, 28 October
Philosophical problems in quantum mechanics. Can philosophy of science help physics resolve the so-called quantum-mechanical paradoxes?
Tuesday, 2 November
Thursday, 4 November
Philosophical problems in biology. The issue of reductionism. "The demise of the demarcation problem" and the "revolution" against evolution.
Tuesday, 9 November
Thursday, 11 November
Metaphysics of scientific theories. Realism and anti-realism.
Tuesday, 16 November
Thursday, 18 November
Epistemology of scientific theories. Confirmation of laws and scientific theories.
Tuesday, 23 November
Thursday, 25 November
Reliability and growth of scientific knowledge. Ontological and epistemological aspects of the correspondence principle. Does a final scientific theory imply the end of science? Limits of applicability of scientific theories.
Tuesday, 30 November - Scientific change and scientific revolutions.
Thursday, 2 December - Review session.