Course: Philosophy of Science

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Course title Philosophy of Science
Course code KFI/1POS
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course unspecified
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 10
Language of instruction English
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Paitlová Jitka, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
These topics will be focused: Philosophy, science, and philosophy of science. Logical positivism and verificationism. Problem of confirmation. Karl R. Popper and falsificationism. Michael Polanyi and tacit knowledge. Thomas S. Kuhn and scientific revolutions. Imre Lakatos and the methodology of scientific research programmes. Paul K. Feyerabend and his critique of scientific method. Naturalistic epistemology and philosophy of science (W. V. O. Quine, P. Kitcher). Feminist epistemology and philosophy of science (H. Longino, S. Harding). Science, values, and the value-free ideal of science (H. Douglas). Scientific realism and anti-realism (I. Hacking). Science in a democratic society (H. Collins, R. Evans).

Learning activities and teaching methods
Textual studies, Lecture, Seminar
  • unspecified - 57 hours per semester
  • Contact hours - 78 hours per semester
  • Preparation for an examination (30-60) - 60 hours per semester
  • Presentation preparation (report in a foreign language) (10-15) - 15 hours per semester
  • Graduate study programme term essay (40-50) - 50 hours per semester
prerequisite
Knowledge
to introduce the basic characters and themes of classical epistemology
Skills
use common academic digital tools, e.g. research databases
formulate and defend one's position in discussion
Competences
N/A
N/A
N/A
learning outcomes
Knowledge
to introduce the basic figures and themes of the philosophy of science of the 20th century
to characterize the most important philosophical interpretations of science and to explain their context
to summarize selected important philosophical writings of the philosophy of science of the 20th century
Skills
to analyze the source philosophical texts of the philosophy of science of the 20th century
to interpret selected passages of key texts of 20th century philosophy of science
to follow the argumentation procedures of specific authors or selected texts of the philosophy of science of the 20th century
to argue and discuss a specific topic of philosophy of science of the 20th century
Competences
N/A
N/A
teaching methods
Knowledge
Lecture with visual aids
Lecture
Textual studies
Self-study of literature
Individual study
Skills
Seminar
Seminar classes
Skills demonstration
Individual study
Students' portfolio
Competences
Seminar
Skills demonstration
Students' portfolio
assessment methods
Knowledge
Combined exam
Seminar work
Test
Individual presentation at a seminar
Skills
Seminar work
Individual presentation at a seminar
Skills demonstration during practicum
Competences
Combined exam
Individual presentation at a seminar
Seminar work
Recommended literature
  • BARKER, G.; KITCHER, P. Philosophy of Science: A New Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014. ISBN 978-0-195-36619-8.
  • CURD, M.; COVER, J. A.; PINCOCK, Ch. (eds.). Philosophy of Science: the Central Issues. New York: W.W. Norton, 2013. ISBN 978-0-393-92080-2.
  • Gasper, Philip; Trout, J. D.; Boyd, Richard. The philosophy of science ; ed. by Richard Boyd, Philip Gasper, J.D. Trout. 6th ed. Cambridge : MIT Press, 1997. ISBN 0-262-52156-3.
  • GODFREY-SMITH, P. Theory and Reality: an Introduction to the Philosophy of Science. Science and its Conceptual Foundations. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003. ISBN 978-0-226-30062-7.
  • LADYMAN, J. Understanding Philosophy of Science. London; New York: Routledge, 2002. ISBN 978-0-415-22156-6.
  • ROSENBERG, A. Philosophy of Science: A Contemporary Introduction. New York; London: Routledge, 2005. ISBN 978-0-415-22156-6.
  • STALEY, K. W. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science. Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2014. ISBN 978-0-521-11249-9.
  • WALLACE, W. A. The Modeling of Nature: Philosophy of Science and Philosophy of Nature in Synthesis. Washington, D.C: The Catholic University of America Press, 1996. ISBN 978-0-813-20860-2.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester