Philosophy of Science

Course manual 2020/2021

Course content

In the third semester of Future Planet Studies, we focus on the complex issue of how to guarantee sufficient food for everyone while the world population increases up until an estimated 10 billion in 2050. The complexity of this global issue is such that it cannot be studied from a sole discipline. The same applies to the other ‘Grand Challenges’ that are the central focus of Future Planet Studies which – on a higher level – are all related to each other. They call for an interdisciplinary approach in which various perspectives are combined and integrated.

In the course Philosophy of Science, we look at differing perspectives from both the natural sciences as well as the social sciences and humanities, and investigate the potential contribution of these various approaches to finding explanations and solutions for our complex problems. Both conventional and newer approaches and models for grappling with challenges such as the world food issue are clarified, as well as their underlying assumptions. Their assets are highlighted, but we will also address the critique that has been brought forward against the various approaches.

Since no singular scientific method can fulfil all our needs, we explore the potential of complexity thinking for navigating alternative views on science. We examine whether it can perform the role of a meta-perspective in which the various models, perspectives and paradigms can be integrated into a more comprehensive approach to complex problems. This way, we aim to prepare students for multi-, inter- or transdisciplinary research on complex problems, not just with regard to the world food issue but to complex problems in general.

Besides gaining knowledge about prevailing traditional approaches and emerging new scientific approaches, the Philosophy of Science course also provides students with conceptual tools to enhance their critical and reflexive capacities. With these tools, students are enabled to critically analyse vital questions related to complex issues

Study materials

Literature

• • Tromp, C. (2018) Wicked Philosophy - Philosophy of Science and Vision Development for Complex Problems, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. The book can be ordered via https://nl.aup.nl/books/9789462988774-wicked-philosophy.html or via bol.com

Syllabus

• • Additional articles (see programme,soon available on Canvas), which are all  available (per week) on Canvas.

Other

• • Knowledge clips that help explain key concepts of the book, and additional texts that you have to read to be able to make Preparatory Assignments or the Take Home Exam will made available on Canvas.

Objectives

• Acquire the skill to recognize the various models, perspectives and paradigms that are used within the broad range of science, i.e. the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities.
• Gain insight in (the differences in) the underlying assumptions of these models, perspectives and paradigms and their implications for the research practice.
• Students are able to integrate the various perspectives into a more comprehensive approach to complex problems, in particular the world food issue.
• Students learn how to use a range of conceptual tools, provided by philosophy of science, to make critical analyses and evaluations of the role of science and technology in the context of inter- and transdisciplinary study of complex issues.
• Students expand their academic skills and 21st century skills by further development of their argumentative reasoning in debate and dialogue as well as in writing, and by enhancement of their critical thinking skills and reflexive capacities.

Teaching methods

• Self-study
• Seminar
• Knowledge clips
• Online Workgroups

In this course, the work groups form the backbone of the course, and we follow the principle of the flipped classroom. This means that you prepare before coming to class by studying the compulsory literature (Wicked Philosophy - Philosophy of Science and Vision Development for Complex Problems + additional articles), by watching the accompanying knowledge clips on Canvas, by formulating answers to the reading questions that you can find at the end of each chapter of Wicked Philosophy, and by making the Preparatory Assignments for each week.

In the first, introductory knowledge clips the aim of the course and the form of assessment are explained. In the other knowledge clips you can find an explanation of key concepts within the philosophy of (interdisciplinary) science.

In the work groups, we will jointly discuss philosophy of science topics from Wicked Philosophy. By reading the additional articles, you gain more in-depth insight in some of the core concepts of the course.

Besides addressing some pressing questions about the compulsory literature, we will also do exercises in the work groups. These exercises are questions from earlier Take Home Exams or this year’s Take Home Exam. Regularly you’ll need prepare for the exercise by making a preparatory assignment, so that you can actively participate in the work group.

Besides the work groups, there will be some question hours, which are spread out over the whole course.

For the work groups there is a strict attendance rule: if you’ve missed two work groups, your attendance at work groups will be graded with NA (Not Attended). This results in exclusion from the course. If for any reason you are going to miss a work group, you must inform your work group teacher in advance by sending an e-mail to announce your anticipated absence

The course schedule will be published and kept updated at www.datanose.nl.

Learning activities

Attendance

Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):

• Participation in fieldwork is compulsory and cannot be replaced by assignments or other courses.
• In case of practical sessions, the student is obliged to attend at least of 90% of the sessions and to prepare himself adequately, unless indicated otherwise in the course manual. In case the student attends less than 90%, the practical sessions should be redone entirely.
• In case of tutorials/seminars with assignments, the student is obliged to attend at least 7 out of 8 seminars and to prepare thoroughly for these meetings, unless indicated otherwise in the course manual. If the course has more than 8 seminars, the student can miss up to 1 extra meeting for every (part of) 8 tutorials/seminars. If the students attends less than the mandatory tutorials/seminars, the course cannot be completed.

Additional requirements for this course:

Not preparing for the work groups and missing deadlines to send in assignments will lead to exclusion from the work groups. If this happens more than twice you will be excluded from the course.

Assessment

Table 2: Assessment, deadlines and exam dates

Assessment diagram

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

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Last year's course evaluation

In order to provide students some insight how we use the feedback of student evaluations to enhance the quality of education, we decided to include the table below in all course guides.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Coyan Tromp