Aims

The aim of the course is to allow the students to deepen their understanding of specific questions in the philosophy of nature by opening a dialogue with contemporary science and philosophy of science. The students should sharpen their analytical and critical skills and be able to defend a personal position taken with regards to the central issues in contemporary philosophy of nature.

Main themes

The topics discussed change from year to year: in previous years we have studied the following themes: the question of finality in nature in contemporary cosmology (discussion of anthropic principles), empiricism in the philosophy of science, substantival and relational conceptions of space and time, causality and determinism, the ontological implications of scientific theories.

Content and teaching methods

God and natural science


The course is dedicated to a philosophical approach of the relationship between natural science and theology, through dwelling on specific issues. The Galileo trials, the Leibniz-Clarke controversy, the finality in nature and the anthropic principles in cosmology will be successively examined.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Pre-requisites
An introductory Philosophy of Science course.

Assessment:
The exam bears on the material covered in class, preferably in the form of an essay composed by the student.

Supporting material:
A course outline and a bibliography will be distributed during the first class. Photocopies of the texts to be read will be distributed ahead of time.

Course Holder/Course Supervision:
By the lecturer.

Other credits in programs