Advanced Studies in the Philosophy of Natural Sciences A

lfilo2240  2020-2021  Louvain-la-Neuve

Advanced Studies in the Philosophy of Natural Sciences A
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).
5 credits
30.0 h
Q1

  This biannual learning unit is not being organized in 2020-2021 !

Teacher(s)
Pence Charles;
Language
French
Main themes
Philosophical analysis of contemporary scientific practices in accordance with a two-fold approach. Methodologically, to ask questions about the applicability and the limits of validity of scientific explanations, relative to other approaches to reality. In terms of content, to learn to see the contributions of natural science as a more general means of comprehending particular phenomena.
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 Upon completion of the course the student should be able
- to pose critical questions about the importance and the limits of the validity of natural science
- to connect scientific discourse with other forms of discourse about the same phenomenon
 
Content
This course will take the form of an advanced survey of philosophy of science, designed to allow the student to pursue further high-level study on specific topics. We will start with a brief historical overview of the philosophy of science, then consider a number of classic problems in philosophy of science, such as the debate over scientific explanation, the dispute between scientific realists and anti-realists, and questions about the relationship between philosophy and scientific practice.
Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Teaching language: English
Reading knowledge and at least passive comprehension of English will be necessary. Students are free to pose questions and discussion in French if they wish, and some supplementary readings will also be French-language.
Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Assessment will include: (1) the attendance and participation of students in the course, (2) leading our discussion for one meeting of the course, and (3) a written examination.
Bibliography
Toutes les lectures seront distribuées par le site web du Pr. Pence.
Faculty or entity
EFIL


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Certificat universitaire en philosophie (approfondissement)

Master [120] in Ethics

Master [60] in Philosophy

Master [120] in Philosophy

Master [120] in Environmental Science and Management