00388 - Philosophy of Science

Course contents

The course will provide an introduction to contemporary philosophy of science. The presentation contained in S. Okasha, Philosophy of Science (also available in English) will be followed. Some topics will be expanded with the aid of additional bibliographical material (see the Programme).

The following topics will be dealt with:

1. Historical introduction to contemporary philosophy of science and its birth in connection with the Vienna Circle;

2. Scientific reasoning: deductive and inductive reasoning. This part of the course will include a short introduction to formal logic (propositional calculus) and probability;

3. Scientific explanation and causality;

4. The realism/anti-realism debate;

5. Scientific change and scientific revolutions;

6. Philosophical problems in particular disciplines (physics, biology, social sciences).

Readings/Bibliography

S. Okasha, Philosophy of Science, Oxford U.P., 2002.

H. Hahn, O. Neurath e R. Carnap, The Scientific Conception of the World: the Vienna Circle, Reidel,1973.

S. Lavine, "Predicate Calculus", in Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 1998, vol. 7, pp. 657-665.

M.C. Galavotti, "Probability", in The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science, ed. by S. Psillos and M. Curd, 2008, pp. 414-424.

J. Woodward, "Explanation", in The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science, ed. by S. Psillos and M. Curd, 2008, pp. 171-181.

C. Hitchcock, "Causation", in The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science, ed. by S. Psillos and M. Curd, 2008, pp. 317-326.

Bibilographical material will be made available to the students near the "ufficio didattico" of the Department of Philosophy (via Zamboni 38, 2 floor).

Teaching methods

The teacher will deliver a series of lectures.

Students willing to do so will be given the opportunity to take active part in the course, by submitting short papers and/or give presentations on topics to be agreed with the teacher. Papers written in English will be accepted.

Assessment methods

The student will be asked to pass a final oral examination.
Should students submit papers and/or give presentations, this will be taken into account for final grading.

Socrates or exchange students will be welcome to take their final exam in English.

Teaching tools

Lectures will profit from power point presentations and/or projection of slides. Short movies on relevant topics will be shown.

The course will start on
February 1, 2010.
Classes will be held on
Monday, Tuersday, Wednesday, 11-13, Room A, via Zamboni 34.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Carla Galavotti