History and Philosophy of Sciences
A.Y. 2022/2023
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 study path, the graduate
1. masters the basic concepts and fundamental themes characterising philosophy of science
2. knows the fundamental elements of science methodology and can connect them with appropriate historical cases.
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 study path, the graduate
1. can critically analyze a text concerning past scientific problems as well as in epistemology and philosophy of science
2. can analyze debates within the philosophy of science with appropriate historical connections
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 study path, the graduate
1. masters the basic concepts and fundamental themes characterising philosophy of science
2. knows the fundamental elements of science methodology and can connect them with appropriate historical cases.
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 study path, the graduate
1. can critically analyze a text concerning past scientific problems as well as in epistemology and philosophy of science
2. can analyze debates within the philosophy of science with appropriate historical connections
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
Course syllabus
The course discusses fundamental topics of epistemology and general philosophy of science through case studies from the history of diverse scientific disciplines. In the first part of the course we shall pay particular attention to the following themes: methodology of scientific enquiry, nature and role of conventions in science, mutual relationship between experimentation and theorization, the problem of demarcation between science, pseudoscience and other domains of human thinking, the notion of scientific change and scientific revolution, the structure of scientific explanation, social aspects of scientific enterprise. In the second part of the course students will be asked to take part in a common work of analysis on Darwin's "The Voyage of the Beagle" (1839), that allows to explore some fundamental aspects of the early stages of the theory of evolution.
Prerequisites for admission
Specific preliminary notions are not required. However, it is assumed that, in addition to their preparation in evolutionary biology, students have a secondary school knowledge of elementary notions of mathematics and physics.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures, group activities, discussions (in particular: shared reading and analysis of a Darwinian key-text in the evolutionary theory). When appropriate, multimedia supports are utilized. If possible, compulsory as well as optional didactic materials (e.g. slides discussed during classes) are uploaded on the Website/MS Teams channel of the course.
Teaching Resources
P. Godfrey-Smith, Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science, Second Edition, The Uniersity of Chicago Press, Chicago 2021
C.R. Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle (in any modern edition)
A. Desmond, J. Moore, Darwin's Sacred Cause, Penguin Books, London 2009
C.R. Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle (in any modern edition)
A. Desmond, J. Moore, Darwin's Sacred Cause, Penguin Books, London 2009
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students are tested in a twofold way: 1) oral exam; 2) participation to a shared reading activity (in presence or on-line) on a key-text in the history of the life sciences.
Point 1 is intended to assess the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual basics of the philosophy of science as well as of the main turns in the history of the theory of evolution. A relevant issue for the assessment will be the ability to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and formulate judgements with incomplete or limited information. Point 2 is intended to assess understanding capacities of a scientific text as well as the ability to make judgment and apply knowledge. In both cases appropriateness of language and communication skills are considered for grading.
Point 1 is intended to assess the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual basics of the philosophy of science as well as of the main turns in the history of the theory of evolution. A relevant issue for the assessment will be the ability to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and formulate judgements with incomplete or limited information. Point 2 is intended to assess understanding capacities of a scientific text as well as the ability to make judgment and apply knowledge. In both cases appropriateness of language and communication skills are considered for grading.
FIS/08 - PHYSICS TEACHING AND HISTORY OF PHYSICS
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
M-STO/05 - HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
M-STO/05 - HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Guzzardi Luca
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Professor(s)