OVERVIEW

The course is an introduction to the major problems of contemporary philosophy of science. The course will address topics and concepts such as "scientific theory", "scientific explanation" and "scientific realism". A module will focus on "scientific communication".

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will have a complete understanding of relations between philosophy and science in Modern and Contemporary Age. Special importance will be placed on classic topics such as "scientific theory", "science and metaphysics" and "scientific progress". Students will study the major epistemological currents through specific texts. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aims of the course are:
- introducing the conceptual and terminological apparatus needed to analyze philosophical issues about science;
- setting the epistemological basis to reflect on relevant issues about science;
- critically analyzing the central issues and problems of the philosophy of science, as the relationship between science and metaphysics, the notion of scientific theory, method, and progress.
- discussing the main philosophical positions about the nature of science.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- know the basic vocabulary and the main concepts of the discipline;
- understand, explain, and resume classical and contemporary texts in the philosophy of science;
- apply the analytical and conceptual tools of the discipline to the discussion of relevant problems regarding sciences.​

PREREQUISITES

It is suggested to have already attended the course Ragionamento e teoria della scienza.

TEACHING METHODS

Combination of traditional lectures, seminars held by external experts, and classroom discussions of the project selected by students.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Program for 6 CFU

The first part of the course is an introduction to the major problems of contemporary philosophy of science. The course will address topics and concepts such as "scientific theory", "scientific explanation" and "scientific realism".

The second part of the will focus on "scientific communication".

Program for 9 CFU

The first part of the course is an introduction to the major problems of contemporary philosophy of science. The course will address topics and concepts such as "scientific theory", "scientific explanation" and "scientific realism". 

The second part of the will focus on "scientific communication".

During the course Dr. Rosangela Barcaro will introduce some topics on bioethics.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

6 CFU

1) M. MARSONET, Elementi di Filosofia della scienza, Genova, CLU, 2008.

2)One book to be chosen in the following list:

U. ECO, Apocalittici e integrati, Milano, Bompiani, 2005.

P.K.FEYERABEND, Contro il metodo, Milano, Feltrinelli, 1995.

T.S. KUHN, La struttura delle rivoluzioni scientifiche, Torino, Einaudi, 2009.

M. McLUHAN, Gli strumenti del comunicare, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2002.

K.R. POPPER, Congetture e confutazioni, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2009.

K.R. POPPER, Miseria dello storicismo, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2013.

C.ROVELLI, La realtà non è come ci appare, Milano, Cortina Editore, 2014.

C.P. SNOW, Le due culture, Venezia, Marsilio, 2005.

9 CFU

1) M. MARSONET, Elementi di Filosofia della scienza, Genova, CLU.

2)Two books to be chosen in the following list:

M.C. AMORETTI, Il triangolo dell'interpretazione, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2008. 

D. DAVIDSON, Soggettivo, intersoggettivo, oggettivo, Milano, Cortina Editore, 2003.

P.K. FEYERABEND, Contro il metodo, Milano, Feltrinelli, 1995.

T.S. KUHN, La struttura delle rivoluzioni scientifiche, Torino, Einaudi, 2009.

M. MCLUHAN, Gli strumenti del comunicare, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2002.

M. MARSONET, I limiti del realismo, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2000.

K.R. POPPER, Congetture e confutazioni, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2009.

K.R. POPPER, La scienza, la filosofia e il senso comune, Armando Editore, Roma, 2005.

K.R. POPPER, Miseria dello storicismo, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2013.

H. PUTNAM, Realismo dal volto umano, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2005.

W.V.O. QUINE, Da un punto di vista logico, Milano, Cortina Editore, 2004.

W.V.O. QUINE, Parola e oggetto, Il Saggiatore, Milano, 2008.

R.RORTY, La filosofia dopo la filosofia, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2008.

C.ROVELLI, La realtà non è come ci appare, Milano, Cortina Editore, 2014.

F. TUROLDO, Breve storia della biotica, Torino, Lindau, 2014.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MICHELE MARSONET (President)

MARIA CRISTINA AMORETTI

MARCELLO FRIXIONE

FABIO PATRONE

MASSIMILIANO VIGNOLO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

17 February 2020.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Attending students: oral exam plus a written paper (max 8 pages). 

Non-attending students: oral exam. The written paper is not compulsory but warmly suggested.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Attending students
The oral exam evaluates students' ability to
- know the basic vocabulary and the main concepts of the discipline;
- understand, explain, and resume classical and contemporary texts in the philosophy of science;
The written paper evaluate students' ability to
- apply the analytical and conceptual tools of the discipline to the discussion of relevant problems regarding sciences.

Non-attending students
The oral exam evaluates students' ability to
- know the basic vocabulary and the main concepts of the discipline;
- understand, explain, and resume classical and contemporary texts in the philosophy of science;
- apply the analytical and conceptual tools of the discipline to the discussion of relevant problems regarding sciences.​

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students of "Informazione ed Editoria" must have the 6 CFU program.