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 being organized in 2020-2021
Teacher(s)
Guay Alexandre; Pence Charles (compensates Guay Alexandre);
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 in-depth introduction to the history and philosophy of evolutionary biology. We will start by reading most of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species, then consider a number of central problems chosen from across the philosophy of biology, including definitions of key concepts and the relationship between the philosophy of biology and other traditional philosophical topics.
Evaluation methods
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.
Evaluation will consist of (1) a small written response to the reading of Darwin, (2) a final written paper, and (3) attendance and participation in our course meetings (if they happen in person, according to the health regulations).In the second session, the evaluation consists of a personal research essay (50%) and a written exam (50%).
Other information
English-friendly course: course taught in French but offering facilities in English.
Bibliography
Toutes les lectures seront distribuées par le site web du Pr. Pence, sauf L’origine des espèces, qui doit impérativement être soit la version anglaise, 1e édition (1859), soit la traduction de Thierry Hoquet, publié par Seuil.
Il y a deux bibliographies entières, une en anglais et une en français. Les étudiant·e·s peuvent suivre l’un ou l’autre.
All readings will be distributed on the website of Pr. Pence, except the Origin of Species, which must be either the English version of the first edition (1859), which you can find as a reprint published by Harvard University Press, or the French translation by Thierry Hoquet, published by Seuil.
There are two complete bibliographies for the course, one in English and one in French. Students may follow whichever they prefer.
Il y a deux bibliographies entières, une en anglais et une en français. Les étudiant·e·s peuvent suivre l’un ou l’autre.
All readings will be distributed on the website of Pr. Pence, except the Origin of Species, which must be either the English version of the first edition (1859), which you can find as a reprint published by Harvard University Press, or the French translation by Thierry Hoquet, published by Seuil.
There are two complete bibliographies for the course, one in English and one in French. Students may follow whichever they prefer.
Faculty or entity
EFIL
