SP19 PHIL381

Philosophy of Science (PHIL381)
Professor Cory Wright
MW  ·  2:00–3:15pm  ·  LA1–304

PHIL381 is an introduction to core issues in general philosophy of science. These include the distinction between science and pseudoscience, experimentation, models and modeling, the varieties of scientific reasoning, the problems of induction and confirmation theory, scientific laws, and conceptions of scientific explanation. A range of philosophical positions will be considered, including naturalism, empiricism, and scientific realism. The course will focus on a range of subdisciplines rather than any particular one. Participants need not have a background in science, but are encouraged to bring to the discussion material from sciences that they are familiar with if so. Having completed the course, students will have an appreciation for the central issues in philosophy of science, will be better prepared to critically assess reasoning in scientific texts, and will have developed both their skills in writing and analysis and their abilities to articulate and evaluate arguments.