<- Archives UCL - Programme d'études ->



Introduction to philosophy of science [ LFILO1220 ]


4.0 crédits ECTS  45.0 h   2q 

Teacher(s) Feltz Bernard ; Pourtois Hervé ;
Language French
Place
of the course
Louvain-la-Neuve
Prerequisites

/

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.

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.

Evaluation methods

Oral exam(with written preparation) to assess understanding of the issues, concepts and approaches presented in the course and the ability to reason about them.

Teaching methods

Magistral lecturessometimes assuming the prior reading of texts by the students.
The plan and any details will be communicated in writing by each teacher at the beginning of the concerned part of his teaching.

Content

Part 1 ' Introduction to the philosophy of natural sciences (by Bernard Feltz)

  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 (rational choice theory, functionalism, structuralism, communicative action)
  3. Social sciences and social criticism (the Critical theory of society)
Bibliography

/

Other information

/

Cycle et année
d'étude
> Bachelor in Philosophy
> Preparatory year for Master in Philosophy
> Bachelor in Ancient and Modern Languages and Literatures
> Bachelor in Information and Communication
> Bachelor in Pharmacy
> Bachelor in Ancient languages and Literatures : Classics
> Bachelor in Modern Languages and Literatures: German, Dutch and English
> Bachelor in Computer Science
> Bachelor in French and Romance Languages and Literatures : General
> Bachelor in Economics and Management
> Bachelor in Motor skills : 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 religious studies
> Certificat universitaire en philosophie (fondements)
> Preparatory year for Master in Ethics
> Master [120] in Public Administration
Faculty or entity
in charge
> EFIL


<<< Page précédente