The Philosophy of Science

This module is an introduction to the philosophy of science. It takes as its focus the question of whether something about the way science aims to understand the natural world marks it out as distinct from the rest of human culture. This might be via a particular general method of discovery or testing or a particular model of the shape of understanding. An underlying issue is whether answers to these questions can be given through philosophical reflection as opposed, for example, to a higher order scientific inquiry.

• 1. Introduction

  2. Simple falsificationism

  3. The theory dependence of observation

  4. Sophisticated methodological falsificationism

  5. Kuhnian scientific revolutions

  6. Explanation by covering law

  7. Causal explanation

  8. Constructive empiricism

  9. Inference to the Best Explanation

  10. Inference to the most probable cause

The module forms part of the UCLan BA in Philosophy.

The essential reading for each week is / will be on the relevant page of UCLan's WebCT site. Additional secondary reading is also listed week by week. Of the various secondary texts listed the one which, overall, best fits this module is:

• • Godfrey-Smith, P. (2003) Theory and Reality: an introduction to the philosophy of science, Chicago: University of Chicago Press

The power point slides for each lecture will be uploaded to the relevant page of this site shortly after each lecture.

Assessment