Philosophy of Science

6 EC

Semester 1, period 1

5354PHSC6Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator dr. Sebastian De Haro Ollé
Part of Master Logic, Master Physics and Astronomy, track Theoretical Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track General Physics and Astronomy,

Course manual 2022/2023

Study materials

Literature

  • M. Curd & J.A. Cover, Philosophy of Science, The Central Issues

Syllabus

  • On Canvas

Other

  • Papers posted on Canvas

Objectives

  • 1. To acquire knowledge of central debates in contemporary philosophy of science at the master’s level.
  • 2. Skills: handling primary literature in philosophy of science; presenting a text in class, if necessary in collaboration with a fellow student; to constructively debate a text at an academic level; to be able to concisely represent a text in short writing assignments.
  • 3. Attitude: to be able to critically reflect upon scientific knowledge from a meta-perspective; to be able to approach a text analytically.

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Presentation/symposium
  • Self-study

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

  

HC

16

  

WC

12

  

Self- study

140

  

Total

168

(6 EC x 28 uur)

Attendance

Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

  • In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article A-1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.

    • Additional requirements for this course:

    Werkcolleges count as practical components.

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    40%

    Tentamen

    30%

    Hand-ins

    30%

    Presentations and participation

    Assignments

    3 hand-ins (individual)

    Presentations are in groups

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
    1

    What is science?  / Locical empiricism

    		 Chapter 1 (extracts) 
    2 Kuhn on scientific practice Chapter 2 (extracts)
    3 The Duhem-Quine thesis Chapter 3 (extracts)
    4 Explanation and understanding Chapter 6 (extracts) + de Regt and Dieks
    5 Scientific realism Chapter 9 (extracts)
    6 Scientific realism Psillos and Stanford
    7 Reduction and emergence Oppenheim & Putnam, Garfinkel
    8 Exam  

    Timetable

    The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • dr. Sebastian De Haro Ollé

    Sebastian De Haro, s.deharo@uva.nl