OVERVIEW

The course analyzes and compares the two approaches of human and natural sciences by focusing on contemporary theoretical issues in psychological and biological 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, social, and natural sciences; Developing the analytic skills and conceptual tools required for making rigorous arguments; Analyzing theoretical notions such as that of reductionism and determinism by referring to how human sciences interact with natural sciences; Learning to critically analyze theoretical issues in psychology and biology through the lenses of human sciences.

After the course, students will be able to: Explain and summarize interdisciplinary publications in by means of proper conceptual and linguistic methodologies; Apply philosophical tools to contemporary scientific issues, with a special focus on those arising from psychological and biological sciences; Critically evaluate the relationship between human, social, and natural sciences by making philosophical connections, arguments and counter-arguments in autonomy.

PREREQUISITES

It is recommended, but not mandatory, to have previously attended a course in Philosophy of Science. For the sake of enhancing learning, scientific topics will be gradually introduced and developed, so that no prior knowledge of scientific subjects is required.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will include lectures delivered by the professor and brief presentations delivered by students (not mandatory). During the course, researchers from other universities might be invited to deliver lectures on related topics.

Registration to the course’s Aulaweb page is mandatory as further material for the preparation of the exam will be uploaded therein.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

During the lectures, it will be analyzed the controversial relationship between human and natural sciences with respect to contemporary theoretical issues such as: reductionism, determinism, and free will; the nature/nurture problem; the biological basis of human psychological traits such as intelligence. Through these topics, it will be shown how achieving a deeper understanding of living beings requires an interdisciplinary dialogue between human, social, and natural sciences.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For students attending lectures

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.

- Lewontin R. C. (2001). The triple helix: Gene, organism, and environment. Cambridge, US: Harvard University Press.

- Marcus, G. (2004). La nascita della mente. Come un piccolo numero di geni crea la complessità del pensiero umano. Torino: Codice Edizioni, 2008.

- Spector, T. (2012). Uguali ma diversi. Quello che i nostri geni non controllano. Torino: Bollati Boringhieri, 2016.

2) For students who have not attended any course in Philosophy of Science, one of the following books:
- Galavotti, M. C., & Campaner, R. (2017). Filosofia della scienza. Milano: EGEA. 

- Okasha, S. (2002). Il primo libro di filosofia della scienza. Torino: Einaudi.

For students unable to attend lectures

1) One of the following books:

- Galavotti, M. C., & Campaner, R. (2017). Filosofia della scienza. Milano: EGEA

- Okasha, S. (2002). Il primo libro di filosofia della scienza. Torino: Einaudi.

2) One of the following:

- Borghini, A., & Casetta, E. (2013). Filosofia della biologia. Roma: Carocci.

- Godfrey-Smith, P. (2016). Philosophy of Biology. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

- Snow, C. P. (1963). Le due culture. Venezia: Marsilio Editore, 2005.

3) One of the following:

- 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.

- Lewontin R. C. (2001). The triple helix: Gene, organism, and environment. Cambridge, US: Harvard University Press.

- Marcus, G. (2004). La nascita della mente. Come un piccolo numero di geni crea la complessità del pensiero umano. Torino: Codice Edizioni, 2008.

- Spector, T. (2012). Uguali ma diversi. Quello che i nostri geni non controllano. Torino: Bollati Boringhieri, 2016.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

DAVIDE SERPICO (President)

MARIA CRISTINA AMORETTI

MARCELLO FRIXIONE

MICHELE MARSONET

LESSONS

LESSONS START

29th October 2019

Class schedule

PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN SCIENCES

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

For students attending lectures: Oral examination (30 points out of 30). Students will have the possibility to replace part of the assessment (20 points out of 30) with a brief presentation during lessons. Details about the presentation will be agreed with the professor.

For students unable to attend lectures: Oral examination (30 points out of 30).

It is mandatory to register to the examination at least one week in advance.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For students attending lectures: The oral examination and the presentation during lessons (not mandatory) assess the student’s ability in: synthetizing and illustrating materials in philosophy of human and natural sciences by means of appropriate conceptual and linguistic approaches (10 points out of 30); applying philosophical tools to contemporary scientific issues, with a special focus on psychological and biological ones (10 points out of 30); critically analyzing the relationship between human and natural sciences by making philosophical connections, arguments, and counter-arguments in autonomy (10 points out of 30).

For students unable to attend lectures: The oral examination assesses the student’s ability in: synthetizing and illustrating materials in philosophy of human and natural sciences by means of appropriate conceptual and linguistic approaches (10 points out of 30); applying philosophical tools to contemporary scientific issues, with a special focus on psychological and biological ones (10 points out of 30); critically analyzing the relationship between human and natural sciences by making philosophical connections, arguments, and counter-arguments in autonomy (10 points out of 30).

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students unable to attend lectures are recommended to contact the professor before the examination. Lectures will be delivered in Italian. However, it is possible to take the oral examination as well as receiving materials in English.