79467 - Epistemology

Course contents

The course aims to provide a deep knowledge of some of the major epistemological 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 notions of data and scientific evidence, the elaboration of models, the meaning ans use of generalizations and laws.

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

Readings/Bibliography

Required readings:

Raffaella Campaner (ed.), La causalità tra filosofia e scienza, ArchetipoLibri-CLUEB, 2012.

Alex Broadbent, Philosophy of Epidemiology, Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.

Further readings (papers, book chapters) will be suggested during the course and uploaded on the course website.

Teaching methods

The course will be delivered through lectures, which will present the major topics and discuss them in the broader context of the current debate in the philosophy of medicine and of epidemiology. Lecures will be integrated by presentations and discussions directly involving the students, who are required to take active part in the lectures.

Assessment methods

 

The examinations aim at assessing the attainment of the expected learning outcomes. A short written essay will be required on one of the issues discussed in the course (2500-3000 words). The essay will be handled in and evaluated by the Lecturer.

The examination aims at assessing whether the student masters the contemporary debate on causation, and the core concepts that are required for discussing the topic from an epistemological standpoint.

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