ARTS-L0603 - Philosophy of Science D, Lecture, 18.1.2022-5.4.2022

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Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

General understanding of the most important problems and topics in philosophy of science, such as objectivity, induction, demarcation, explanation, and naturalism. Enhanced ability to participate in philosophical discussion and argumentation. Ability to identify philosophical problems related to one s own research, recognising ways in which they are reflected in research questions and theoretical approaches. Enhanced ability to argue for one's own theoretical choices, and to formulate research questions.

Credits: 4

Schedule: 18.01.2022 - 05.04.2022

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Turkka Keinonen, Maarit Laihonen

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Relations between the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities, and comparisons between them and arts based research and the engineering sciences. Theory, observation and phenomena: how observations can be reliably used to back up theories even when observations are theory-laden. Kinds and classification: both "natural kinds" found in the world and classifications created for specific purposes are needed in research. Values in science and objectivity: non-epistemic values cannot be banished from science, but objectivity can nevertheless be salvaged. Explanation and undestanding: earlier philosophers contrasted the two, but contemporary theories of explanation link them. Interdisciplinarity: collaboration across disciplinary boundaries hoghlights the collective nature of scientific knowledge production.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Credits are earned by being present (80 % minimum), reading the texts, by active participation in group discussions, and by writing mini essays assigned during the course.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Contact hours: 36h
    Independent work: 70h

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Peter Godfrey-Smith Theory and reality: An introduction to the philosophy of science

    Mark Risjord: The Philosophy of Social Science: A Contemporary Introduction (only some chapters).

    Additional excerpts provided by the teacher.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Minimum number of participants: 8

    Teaching Period:

    2020-2021 Spring III-IV

    2021-2022 Spring III-IV

    Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=ARTS-L0603

    Registration for Courses: Sisu replaces Oodi on 9 August, 2021. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-in-aalto-arts

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