CODE 53020 ACADEMIC YEAR 2018/2019 CREDITS 6 cfu anno 1 METODOLOGIE FILOSOFICHE 8465 (LM-78) - GENOVA 6 cfu anno 2 METODOLOGIE FILOSOFICHE 8465 (LM-78) - GENOVA 6 cfu anno 2 SCIENZE STORICHE 9917 (LM-84) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR M-FIL/02 LANGUAGE Italian TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 1° Semester TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB OVERVIEW The course compares the two approaches of human sciences and natural sciences by focusing on contemporary theoretical issues in biological and psychological research. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The aim of the course is to overview the differences between the typical methodologies of human, social and natural sciences by referring to the ongoing scientific debate. Students will be asked to read and carefully analyze the proposed materials. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES The aims of the course are: Outlining the different approaches generally adopted in human sciences and natural sciences, as well as developing the analytic skills and the conceptual tools required for making rigorous arguments; Analyzing theoretical notions such as that of reductionism and naturalism by referring to how human sciences interact with biological and psychological sciences; Learning to critically analyze theoretical issues in biology and psychology through the lenses of human sciences. After the course, students will be able to: Explain and summarize important publications in human sciences by means of proper conceptual and linguistic devices; Apply philosophical tools to contemporary scientific issues, with a special focus on those arising from biological and psychological sciences; Critically evaluate the relationship between human and natural sciences by making philosophical connections, arguments and counter-arguments in autonomy. PREREQUISITES It is recommended to have been attended a course of Philosophy of Science during the bachelor’s degree. For the sake of enhancing learning, biological and psychological topics will be gradually introduced and developed, so that no specialist knowledge on these subjects is required. TEACHING METHODS The course will include both frontal lectures and brief talks by students. During the course, researchers from other universities will be invited to give lectures on a variety of topics including philosophy of social sciences, philosophy of medicine, and philosophy of neuroscience. Registration via Aulaweb is mandatory as further material for the preparation of the exam will be uploaded. SYLLABUS/CONTENT During the lectures, it will be analyzed the controversial relationship between human and natural sciences with respect to contemporary theoretical issues in philosophy of biology and psychology: the topic of reductionism; the nature/nurture problem and its widespread interpretations (e.g., inheritance vs. learning, genes vs. environment); the biological basis of human psychological traits such as intelligence. By analyzing these topics, it will be shown that achieving a deeper understanding of living beings requires an interdisciplinary dialogue between human and natural sciences. RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY Studenti frequentanti 1) One of the following books: - Cianciolo, A. T., & Sternberg, R. (2004). Breve storia dell’intelligenza. Bologna: Il Mulino, 2007. - Dupré, J. (2001). Natura Umana. Perché la scienza non basta. Roma: Laterza, 2007. - Marcus, G. (2004). La nascita della mente. Come un piccolo numero di geni crea la complessità del pensiero umano. Torino: Codice Edizioni, 2008. - Rutter, M. (2006). Genes and Behavior. Nature-Nurture Interplay Explained. Oxford: Blackwell. - Sarkar, S. (2008). Genetics and Reductionism. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. - More readings will be suggested during lectures. 2) A brief talk or an essay on a topic to be agreed with the lecturer. 3) For students who have not attended any course of Philosophy of Science during the bachelor’s degree: - Galavotti, M. C., & Campaner, R. (2017). Filosofia della scienza. Milano: EGEA. Studenti NON frequentanti 1) One of the following books: - Galavotti, M. C., & Campaner, R. (2017). Filosofia della scienza. Milano: EGEA --> obbligatorio per chi NON abbia seguito il corso triennale di Filosofia della scienza. - Snow, C. P. (1963). Le due culture.Venezia: Marsilia Editore, 2005. 2) One of the following books: - Borghini, A., & Casetta, E. (2013). Filosofia della biologia. Roma: Carocci. - De Caro, M., & Macarthur, D. (2005). La mente e la natura. Per un naturalismo liberalizzato. Roma: Fazi Editore. - Godfrey-Smith, P. (2016). Philosophy of Biology. Princeton: Princeton University Press. - Griffiths, P., & Stotz, K. (2013). Genetics and Philosophy: An Introduction. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 3) One of the following books: - Cianciolo, A. T., & Sternberg, R. (2004). Breve storia dell’intelligenza. Bologna: Il Mulino, 2007. - Dupré, J. (2001). Natura Umana. Perché la scienza non basta. Roma: Laterza, 2007. - Marcus, G. (2004). La nascita della mente. Come un piccolo numero di geni crea la complessità del pensiero umano. Torino: Codice Edizioni, 2008. - Rutter, M. (2006). Genes and Behavior. Nature-Nurture Interplay Explained. Oxford: Blackwell. - Sarkar, S. (2008). Genetics and Reductionism. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD DAVIDE SERPICO Exam Board DAVIDE SERPICO (President) MARIA CRISTINA AMORETTI MARCELLO FRIXIONE MICHELE MARSONET LESSONS LESSONS START 30th October 2018 Class schedule PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN SCIENCES EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION Studenti frequentanti: 1) oral examination; 2) A brief talk or an essay. Details about the talk and the essay will be agreed with the lecturer during the course. Studenti NON frequentanti: 1) oral examination. It is mandatory to register to the course at least one week before the oral examination. ASSESSMENT METHODS Studenti frequentanti: the talk during the course (20/30 points) assesses the student’s ability to apply philosophical tools to contemporary scientific issues, with a special focus on biological and psychological sciences, as well as to critically analyze the relationship between human and natural sciences by making philosophical connections, arguments, and counter-arguments in autonomy; the oral examination (10/30) assesses the student’s ability to explain and synthetize publications in philosophy of biology and philosophy of psychology by means of proper conceptual and linguistic devices. Studenti NON frequentanti: the oral examination assesses the student’s ability to explain and synthetize publications in philosophy of biology and philosophy of psychology by means of proper conceptual and linguistic devices (10/30), to apply philosophical tools to contemporary scientific issues, with a special focus on biological and psychological sciences (10/30), and to critically analyze the relationship between human and natural sciences by making philosophical connections, arguments, and counter-arguments in autonomy. In both cases, the evaluation will take into account the proper use of philosophical and scientific language, the ability in making critical reasoning, and the quality of the presentation. Exam schedule Data appello Orario Luogo Degree type Note 14/01/2019 10:00 GENOVA Orale 31/01/2019 10:00 GENOVA Orale 23/05/2019 10:00 GENOVA Orale 07/06/2019 10:00 GENOVA Orale 03/07/2019 10:00 GENOVA Orale 18/07/2019 10:00 GENOVA Orale 10/09/2019 10:00 GENOVA Orale FURTHER INFORMATION Students who cannot attend the lectures are recommended to contact the lecturer.
