Epistemology 2: Introduction to philosophy of science
[FILO1220]
[45h] 5 credits
This course is taught in the 2d semester.
Teacher(s): Bernard Feltz, Hervé Pourtois
Language: French
Level: First
Aims
By the end of the course, the student should have mastered the central problems and main authors concerned with articulating a philosophy of nature in the 20th Century. The student should be able to present a question (orally or in writing), in a clear, synthetic, and precise manner. The student will be expected to argue in a rigorous manner in favor of one of the positions addressed while also taking a critical stance towards that same position. Finally, the student will be able to orient him or herself in the literature on philosophy of science.
Main themes
The main topics addressed will be: the epistemic status of scientific theories and models; the dynamics of science; the scope, and limits, of scientific knowledge; scientific explanation; realism; reductionism; the role of finality; naturalism; etc.
Content and teaching methods
1. Philosophy of the natural sciences
2. Philosophy of the human sciences
1. Philosophy of the natural sciences : Bernard Feltz
2. Philosophy of the Human Sciences : Tom Dedeurwaerdere
This second part of the lectures will give an introduction to the philosophical issues behind the theory of governance, as it is developed in the contemporary human and social sciences. The main objective is go beyond formal approach to social regulation, as it exists both in ethics and in law, by shifting towards a study of the trajectory of the practical application of the norm in a social context.
In particular, this second part will examine the epistemological tools available in the new critical theory. Both the debate on the criticism of functionalism in human sciences (Jürgen Habermas, Andrew Feenberg) and the alternative reflexive approaches (Gunter Teubner, Ulrich Beck) will be the object of the study.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
The course presupposes an elementary knowledge of formal logic.
Assessment:
The course will be taught by three lecturers, who will work together closely, and will be evaluated through one, final, exam.
The assessment will take the form of an oral exam based on the issues discussed in the class or on an essay written by the student.
Supporting material:
Complete class-notes as well as a bibliography are available.
Course holder/Course Supervision:
Lecturers only.