In this module, we will be interested not in what you should know about nature, but more in how you should get to know what you want to know about it. The module aims to add to your knowledge of science from a historical and philosophical perspective and also to sharpen your critical thinking skills. Join us, if you want to know what is good science in contrast to bad science (e.g. metaphysics, parapsychology or pre-Copernican astronomy) or pseudoscience (young earth creationism, astrology), and also if you what to know what do we mean by the scientific method in more general terms and how science develops in real life. You will be introduced to classic theories of the development of science and will have the chance to think about what makes a practice that aims to acquire knowledge efficient and likely to succeed and what the pitfalls of such practices are.
The module aims at a general audience, but it is highly relevant for those interested in philosophy, biology or physics and the philosophy of science in general. You should expect that a basic level of logic and formal thinking will be part of our discussions.
21/1 – Natural Philosophies
Module Leader:
Gergely Kertész
Status:
Confirmed
Year/Term:
2021-2022 Summer
Level:
Immersion 1
Division:
Arts and Humanities
Credit:
8