OVERVIEW

The course is an introduction to the major problems of contemporary philosophy of science. The course will address topics and concepts such as: deduction vs. induction, the problem of confirmation, theory and observation, scientific progress, realism vs. anti-realism, scientific explanation, values and science.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will have a critical understanding of relations between philosophy and science in Contemporary Age. Special importance will be placed on classic topics such as: deduction vs. induction, the problem of confirmation, theory and observation, scientific progress, realism vs. anti-realism, scientific explanation, values and science. Students will study the major epistemological trends through specific texts. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aims of this course are: 
- introducing the conceptual and terminological apparatus needed to analyze philosophical issues about science;
- setting the metaphysical and epistemological basis to reflect on relevant issues about science;
- critically analyzing the central issues and problems of the philosophy of science;
- discussing the main philosophical positions about the nature of science, its structure, and its role within conteporary society.

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 the various sciences.​

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and students' presentations. External scholars could be invited to discuss specific issues.

Students must register to Aulaweb to obtain relevant teaching material.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Program for 6 CFU

The course is an introduction to some general topics of the philosophy of science.

The first part of the course discusses some classical topics, such as: the distinctive character of scientific activity, the demarcation problem, scientific reasoning, the problem of confirmation, the relationship between theory and observation, alternative conceptions of scientific progress, the debate between reductionism and anti-reductionism, the dispute between realism and anti-realism, the problem of scientific explanation. 

Program for 9 CFU

The course is an introduction to some general topics of the philosophy of science.

The first part of the course discusses some classical topics, such as: the distinctive character of scientific activity, the demarcation problem, scientific reasoning, the problem of confirmation, the relationship between theory and observation, alternative conceptions of scientific progress, the debate between reductionism and anti-reductionism, the dispute between realism and anti-realism, the problem of scientific explanation. 

The second part of the course examines some contemporary topics, such as: the distinction between cognitive and non-cognitive values, the value-ladeness of the scientific enterprise, feminist and naturalist epistemologies, the relationship between science and democracy. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

6 CFU

- G. Boniolo, M.L. Dalla Chiara, G. Giorello, C. Sinigaglia, S. Tagliagambe, Filosofia della scienza, Raffaello Cortina, Milano, 2002 (selected articles).
- S. Okasha, Il primo libro di filosofia della scienza, Einaudi, Torino, 2006.

One volume among the following:

- P. Duhem, Verificazione e olismo, Roma, Armando, 2006.
- P.K. Feyerabend, Contro il metodo, Milano, Feltrinelli, 1995.
- T.S. Kuhn, La struttura delle rivoluzioni scientifiche, Torino, Einaudi, 2009.
- I. Lakatos, La metodologia dei programmi di ricerca scientifici, Milano, Saggiatore, 2001.
- K.R. Popper, Logica della scoperta scientifica, Torino, Einaudi, 1998.
- W.V.O. Quine, Da un punto di vista logico, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2004.
- B.C. van Fraassen, L’immagine scientifica, Bologna, CLUEB, 1985.

Other relevant readings in English will be proposed to incoming students.

9 CFU

- G. Boniolo, M.L. Dalla Chiara, G. Giorello, C. Sinigaglia, S. Tagliagambe, Filosofia della scienza, Raffaello Cortina, Milano, 2002 (selected articles).
- S. Okasha, Il primo libro di filosofia della scienza, Einaudi, Torino, 2006.
- A. Tanesini, “Epistemologie femministe delle scienze”, Aphex, 11, 2015 (on aulaweb).

One volume among the following:

- P. Duhem, Verificazione e olismo, Roma, Armando, 2006.
- P.K. Feyerabend, Contro il metodo, Milano, Feltrinelli, 1995.
- T.S. Kuhn, La struttura delle rivoluzioni scientifiche, Torino, Einaudi, 2009.
- I. Lakatos, La metodologia dei programmi di ricerca scientifici, Milano, Saggiatore, 2001.
- K.R. Popper, Logica della scoperta scientifica, Torino, Einaudi, 1998.
- W.V.O. Quine, Da un punto di vista logico, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2004.
- B.C. van Fraassen, L’immagine scientifica, Bologna, CLUEB, 1985.

One volume among the following:

- M. Bucchi, Scienza e società, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2010.
- H. E. Douglas, Science, policy, and the value-free ideal, Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Press, 2009.
- P. Kitcher, La scienza in una società democratica, Milano, Ariele, 2014.
- H. Longino, Science as Social Knowledge: Values and Objectivity in Scientific Inquiry, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1990.

Other relevant readings in English will be proposed to incoming students.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIA CRISTINA AMORETTI (President)

MARCELLO FRIXIONE

MICHELE MARSONET (Substitute)

DAVIDE SERPICO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

16 February 2021

Class schedule

PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

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.

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.​

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

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