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Epistemology 2: Introduction to philosophy of science [ LFILO1220 ]

5.0 crédits ECTS 45.0 h 2q

Teacher(s)	Steiner Pierre (compensates Feltz Bernard) ; Pourtois Hervé ; Feltz Bernard ;
Language	French
Place of the course	Louvain-la-Neuve
Main themes	The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to contemporary philosophy of science, understood as a philosophical theory of scientific knowledge and practice. Such a philosophical reflection about science cannot but be articulated in close relationship with the sciences themselves, particularly in their historical dimension. Consequently, we shall throughout the course make references to the scientific disciplines themselves. 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.
Aims	The aim of the course is to introduce the students to contemporary philosophy of science. 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.
Content	Part 1 ' Introduction to the philosophy of natural sciences (by Pierre Steiner) 1. The nature of scientific explanation (nomological-deductive model and its critics ; prediction and explanation) ; theory and experiment. 2. Rationality and dynamics of scientific evolution (Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos) 3. Scientific realism and reductionism Part 2 ' Introduction to the philosophy of social sciences with a focus on sociology (by Hervé Pourtois) 1. Epistemological issues at the origin of sociology (Durkheim and Weber) 2. Explanation in social sciences : methodological individualism /methodological holism / methodological pluralism 3. Scientific justfication and reasoning in social sciences (Durkheim, Popper, Passeron) 4. Generalisation an theorization in social sciences 5. Objectivity and social criticism
Other information	.
Cycle et année d'étude	> Bachelor in Philosophy > Preparatory Year for Master in Ethics > Certificat universitaire en philosophie (fondements) > Preparatory Year for Master in Philosophy > Bachelor in Law > Bachelor in Ancient and Modern Languages and Literatures > Bachelor in Information and Communication > Bachelor in Engineering : Architecture > Bachelor in Ancient languages and Literatures : Classics > Bachelor in Modern Languages and Literatures: German, Dutch and English > Bachelor in Computer Science > Bachelor in Psychology and Education: General > Bachelor in Economics and Management > Bachelor in Motor skills : General > Bachelor in French and Romance Languages and Literatures : General > Bachelor in Human and Social Sciences > Bachelor in Modern Languages and Literatures : General > Bachelor in Sociology and Anthropology > Bachelor in Political Sciences: General > Bachelor in History of Art and Archaeology : General > Bachelor in Ancient Languages and Literatures: Oriental Studies > Bachelor in Mathematics > Bachelor in History > Bachelor in Biomedicine > Bachelor in Engineering > Bachelor in Pharmacy > Bachelor in Religious Studies > Master [120] in Public Administration
Faculty or entity in charge	> EFIL

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