Topic outline

  • Scientific Thinking

    This part of the course contains reading of some textbook chapters, as well as other shorter texts that together will cover:
    •  Important concepts in Scientific thinking such as ontology, epistemology, positivism vs. constructivism, validity, theory and empirics.
    • A brief overview of the history of Philosophy of science and the notion of what we can know and how.
    It will be evaluated through Quiz 1 as well of a reading assignment that builds on the Quiz and tests students' understanding of the required reading.

    The background on the history of the philosophy of science, is useful for students to know in order to better understand the conventions and “unwritten rules” in academic research. Although most of the examples discussed in the assigned textbook chapters concern natural sciences, these ideas, concepts and discussions are relevant also for understanding the conventions in social science in general, and Economics in particular.
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      This file contains the Reading list for the part "Scientific Thinking"

      The texts that I have selected as required reading provide a very brief background on the history of the philosophy of science, which is useful to know to understand the conventions and “unwritten rules” in academic research. Although most of the examples concern natural sciences, these ideas, concepts and discussions are relevant also for understanding the conventions in social science in general, and Economics in particular. I have assigned chapters from two textbooks. The book by Ladyman is a small, accessible book that provides explanation and context and gives examples, while the book by Bird and Ladyman (where I have assigned only one chapter) is an anthology that collects some original texts by thinkers that are considered important in the philosophy of science.

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Quiz 1