Philosophy of Science
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the basics of epistemology and general philosophy of science as well as with the essential traits of the most significant debates that have shaped it. An interdisciplinary approach will be applied and examples from various scientific disciplines and their history will be examined during classes.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
1. masters the basic concepts and fundamental themes characterising philosophy of science
2. knows the fundamental elements of science methodology.
3. can discern the various kinds of scientific reasoning and understand the validity of arguments brought by her/his own and others.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
1. can critically analyze a text in epistemology and philosophy of science
2. can analyze debates within the philosophy of science
3. can outline the state of the art in relation to a problem in this discipline
4. can apply the methodological tools acquired to solve theoretical and practical problems.
At the end of the course, the student
1. masters the basic concepts and fundamental themes characterising philosophy of science
2. knows the fundamental elements of science methodology.
3. can discern the various kinds of scientific reasoning and understand the validity of arguments brought by her/his own and others.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
1. can critically analyze a text in epistemology and philosophy of science
2. can analyze debates within the philosophy of science
3. can outline the state of the art in relation to a problem in this discipline
4. can apply the methodological tools acquired to solve theoretical and practical problems.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
During the ongoing covid emergency, the course syllabus will be maintained with the following changes made to enhance the effectiveness of the online version of the course, which was originally designed for face-to-face teaching.
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom.
The lessons will not be recorded
Online environments used:
Ariel: https://sdebianchifs.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/Home
Teams: keycode available in Ariel
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/teaching-activities-campus
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/sitting-exams
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom.
The lessons will not be recorded
Online environments used:
Ariel: https://sdebianchifs.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/Home
Teams: keycode available in Ariel
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/teaching-activities-campus
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/sitting-exams
Course syllabus
The course provides students with the basics of epistemology and the general philosophy of science as well as with the essential traits of their most significant debates. These issues are explored with reference to a handbook plus complementary materials and discussed in light of a classic in the philosophy of science: Thomas S. Kuhn's "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" (6 CFU Syllabus, corresponding to the first 40 hours). The last part of the course (for the 9 CFU Syllabus, corresponding to the remaining 20 hours) deals with the notions of "representation" and "reality" in the light of the recent debates on scientific realism and offers the discussion of the articles collected in "Meccanica Quantistica. Rappresentazione Realtà. Un dialogo tra fisica e filosofia" (Bibliopolis, 2012).
Prerequisites for admission
Preliminary notions are not required.
Teaching methods
Oral lectures, in-presence and on-line group activities, discussions. When appropriate, a multimedia, approach is employed (e.g. PowerPoint). If possible, compulsory as well as optional didactic materials (e.g. slides discussed during classes) are uploaded on the Ariel page of the course.
Teaching Resources
Students who are taking both written and oral exams in English must consider the following texts:
1) Godfrey-Smith, P. (2009). Theory and reality: An introduction to the philosophy of science.
University of Chicago Press.
2) Additional material to be selected with the teaching Staff (depending on whether students are interested in 6 CFU or 9 CFU).
3) Thomas Kuhn, The structure of scientific revolutions (any edition)
4) Richard Healey, The Quantum Revolution in Philosophy, OUP 2017
3) .
1) Godfrey-Smith, P. (2009). Theory and reality: An introduction to the philosophy of science.
University of Chicago Press.
2) Additional material to be selected with the teaching Staff (depending on whether students are interested in 6 CFU or 9 CFU).
3) Thomas Kuhn, The structure of scientific revolutions (any edition)
4) Richard Healey, The Quantum Revolution in Philosophy, OUP 2017
3) .
Assessment methods and Criteria
ESSAY + ORAL EXAM
The exam consists of an essay and an oral examination. The latter can be only taken by students who have submitted the essay beforehand. No distinction is made between attending and non-attending students. Programs expire after 13 months since the end of classes.
The essay consists in a text (ca. 5000 words) deepening issues addressed during the course or that emerge from the reference texts included in the program. Students have the possibility to choose the topic they prefer, but they must communicate it to the teaching staff in advance to eventually agree on the bibliography. The essay aims to ascertain the level of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual bases of the philosophy of science and to test the ability to apply, understand, formulate, and know how to communicate autonomous judgments in written form on the acquired knowledge. The written essay is mandatory for all students. The oral exam intends to ascertain understanding and reflection abilities as well as communication skills and appropriateness of language. The oral exam is compulsory for all students. For those with the 9 CFU Syllabus it concerns Points 1, 4 and 5 of the Bibliography.
The written and the oral test are taken into account in grading as follows: 50 % for the essay; 50 % for the oral exam.
The exam procedure is explained during the first lecture and published on the Staff Website: https://www.unimi.it/it/ugov/person/silvia-debianchi
The exam consists of an essay and an oral examination. The latter can be only taken by students who have submitted the essay beforehand. No distinction is made between attending and non-attending students. Programs expire after 13 months since the end of classes.
The essay consists in a text (ca. 5000 words) deepening issues addressed during the course or that emerge from the reference texts included in the program. Students have the possibility to choose the topic they prefer, but they must communicate it to the teaching staff in advance to eventually agree on the bibliography. The essay aims to ascertain the level of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual bases of the philosophy of science and to test the ability to apply, understand, formulate, and know how to communicate autonomous judgments in written form on the acquired knowledge. The written essay is mandatory for all students. The oral exam intends to ascertain understanding and reflection abilities as well as communication skills and appropriateness of language. The oral exam is compulsory for all students. For those with the 9 CFU Syllabus it concerns Points 1, 4 and 5 of the Bibliography.
The written and the oral test are taken into account in grading as follows: 50 % for the essay; 50 % for the oral exam.
The exam procedure is explained during the first lecture and published on the Staff Website: https://www.unimi.it/it/ugov/person/silvia-debianchi
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
De Bianchi Silvia
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professors:
De Bianchi Silvia, Sinigaglia Corrado
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesdays 3PM-5PM; Wednesdays 3-4PM. It is mandatory to send an email to arrange the meeting.
Department of Philosophy, via Festa del Perdono 7, Cortile Ghiacciaia, 3Floor and/or Teams Platform
Reception:
Tuesday 9.30-12.30, by appointment only
Department of Philosophy, via Festa del Perdono 7, Cortile Ghiacciaia, top floor
Reception:
I am available for appointments any day. For urgent matters, I can be reached on Skype [siniga_corrado]