79467 - Epistemology

Course contents

The course aims to provide a deep knowledge of some of the major philosophical debates that have a direct relevance for the health sciences. Methodological and conceptual issues concerning the nature and assessment of causal nexus, and the elaboration of explanations and predictions in medical contexts will be tackled, with a special attention devoted to epidemiology. Further topics addressed will inlcude scientific method, the collection and use of data, the elaboration of models, the meaning ans use of generalizations and laws.

The student will be provided the conceptual tools to address the main positions in the contemporary philosophical scenario on these topics, to critically discuss the relevant literature, and to elaborate some original contribution.

Readings/Bibliography

 Required reading: Alex Broadbent, Philosophy of Epidemiology, Palgrave Macmillan, 2013, pp. 196.

Furher reading will be suggested during the course.

Teaching methods

The course will be delivered through lectures, integrated by presentations and discussions directly involving the students.

Assessment methods

A distinct oral examination will have to be taken for each module of the course. The examinations aim at assessing the attainment of the expected learning outcomes. The final grade is the simple mean of the grades received in the two examinations.

The oral examination on the contents of the first module aims at assessing whether the student masters the contemporary debate on scientific realism and antirealism, the core notions that are required for discussing the main issues concerning the nature and role of scientific theories as well as the relation between observation and theory.

The oral examination on the contents of the second module aims at assessing whether the student masters the central notions of epistemology as well as is able to critically discuss their mutual relations and the relations connecting them to other basic epistemological notions.

The student is required to elaborate a short written essay on one of the issues addressed in the course. The essay will be handed in and discussed with the Lecturer.

The examination aims at assessing the student's ability to present and critically analyse the various views discussed in the course. The attainment of a comprehensive and detailed perspective, the acquisition of in-depth knowledge of the relevant texts, an ability to make critical use of the arguments that have been introduced in the course, clear presentation and an appropriate use of technical language will result in excellent grades.

The attainment of adequate knowledge of the contents without an autonomous capacity of critical elaboration and a generally correct but not totally flawless use of technical language will result in good grades.

The attainment of limited and/or parrotlike knowledge of the contents, absence of synthetic and/or analytic capacities and correct use of non-technical language only will result in lower grades.

The attainment of very limited and superficial knowledge of the contents and/or inaccurate use of language will allow only the minimum pass grade.

Poor knowledge of the contents, seriously inaccurate use of language and a lack of familiarity with the literature discussed in the course will lead to the failure of the examination.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides will be employed during lectures.

Relevant papers will be uploaded on the course website.

Office hours

See the website of Raffaella Campaner