I. Instructor
Richard Feldman
Lattimore 518, x58106
Office Hours: Thurs: 10-12 

feldman@philosophy.rochester.edu

 

II. Description
This course attempts to answer questions about the nature and logic of science. Among the questions to be addressed are these: what is required for something to count as a scientific explanation? what is a law of nature? what is a scientific theory? how does a theory get confirmed? what’s the difference between genuine science and pseudoscience? are there limits to what can be explained by science? is there a conflict between science and religion? in what ways do values affect science? can science be completely objective? Class will meet MWF 11:00-11:50 in Gavett 208.

 

III. Text
Rosenberg, Philosophy of Science (2^nd Edition)

Additional readings will be on electronic reserve.

 

IV. Web Page
Course information, including this syllabus, assignments, lecture notes, and schedule changes, will be available online at http://www.ling.rochester.edu/~feldman/philosophy152/index.html.

 

V. Assignments and Grading

a. Tests: There will be two mid-terms tests. Very tentative dates: Feb. 17, Mar. 31.

 

b. Homework Assignments: Almost every week there will be a very short written assignment about the readings. They will require that you explain or comment on some point in the reading. Typically, the assignment will be made on Monday or Wednesday and will be due on Friday. These assignments will play a large role in class discussions. 

 

c. Final Assignment: Each student will have a choice between writing a final paper, making a presentation to the class, or taking a final test.

 

e. Attendance and Participation Grade: Although there will be some lectures in this class, most class meetings will be devoted to discussion of the readings. The homework assignments described above are designed to encourage students to be prepared for class. Active participation in class discussions is expected. 

 

 

 

 

VI. Extremely Tentative Schedule

 

I. Scientific Explanations (Jan. 23-Feb. 3)

A. The Covering Law Model

            Rosenberg, Ch. 2

            Hempel, “Studies in the Logic of Explanation” (on reserve)

B. Explanation and Unification

            Rosenberg, Ch. 3.1

            Kitcher, “Explanatory Unification” (on jstor: http://tinyurl.com/9uj8h)

C. Teleology and Necessity

            Rosenberg, Ch. 3.2-3.3

 

II. Scientific Theories (Feb . 6-Feb. 15)

A. The Logic of Theories

            Rosenberg, Ch. 4.1

B. Reduction

            Rosenberg, Ch. 4.2

C. Theoretical Entities

            Rosenberg, Ch. 4.3 

            Hanson, “Observation” (on reserve)

D. Models

            Rosenberg, Ch. 4.4-4.5

 

III. Epistemology and Science (Feb. 20-Mar. 10)

A. Knowledge and Justification

B. The Problems of Induction

            Russell, “The Problem of Induction,” (on reserve)

            Rosenberg, Ch. 5.1-5.4

C. The Underdetermination Problem

            Rosenberg, Ch. 5.5

 

IV. The Objectivity of Science (Mar. 20-29)

            Kuhn, “Objectivity, Value Judgment, and Theory Choice” (on reserve)

            Rosenberg, Ch 5-6 

 

V. Science and Pseudoscience (Apr. 3-7)

            Popper, “Science: Conjectures and Refutations” (on reserve)

            Thagard, “Why Astrology is a Pseudoscience”

 

VI. Science and Religion (Apr. 10-21)

            Gould, “Nonverlapping Magisteria”

            Dawkins, “When Religion Steps on Science’s Turf”

 

VII. Science and Values (Apr. 21-May 1)

 

[Additional readings will be assigned during the semester.]