Science and the Law: Evidence, Expert Testimony, and Decisions (in English) - Institute of Philosophy, Leibniz University Hannover
Summer Semester 2025/26 (28 hours) - Graduate Seminar
Science and law are related in two important ways. First, from an epistemological standpoint, both rely on structured processes in which a community or decision-maker—a scientific community, a judge, or a jury—must reach a judgment on a hypothesis based on the strength and reliability of the evidence presented. For this reason, both domains are central to contemporary epistemology and philosophy of science, especially in relation to concepts such as proof, evidence, testimony, expertise, and probability. Second, science and law interact directly through the scientific experts who testify in legal proceedings: forensic scientists and psychiatrists in criminal cases, epidemiologists and toxicologists in toxic-tort litigation, and many others whose expertise informs judicial decision-making. This course adopts a philosophical approach to these issues, with particular attention to standards of proof, the role and evaluation of expert witnesses, and the use of scientific theories and models in legal contexts. Throughout the course, case law will be used to illustrate these themes, with a primary focus on Western legal systems.
Contemporary Perspectives on Scientific Progress (in English) - Institute of Philosophy, Leibniz University Hannover
Summer Semester 2024/25 (28 hours) - Graduate Seminar
This seminar explores the contemporary debate on scientific progress within the philosophy of science. We will examine and reflect on the main accounts of scientific progress found in the philosophical literature, as well as consider historical cases of scientific progress. Questions of interest will include, among others: How can we define scientific progress? Does scientific progress vary across disciplinary boundaries? Is scientific progress the sole goal of science? Should we trust science only if it is progressive? In addition to addressing these questions, we will explore how the debate over scientific progress intersects with other key philosophical issues, such as the scientific realism/anti-realism debate, incommensurability, and the aims of science.
Philosophy of Science (in Italian) - Department of Digital Humanities, University of Pisa
Fall Semester 2023/24 (36 hours)
The course introduces students to critical thinking, with particular reference to the various types of inference used in science, and to the main topics in contemporary philosophy of science. First, we will study the ways in which scientists formulate their hypotheses, test them, and update their beliefs about the world. Second, issues such as the nature of scientific research, the problem of induction and empirical confirmation, Popper's falsificationism, and the relationship between science and society will be investigated.
Here you find a detailed program.
History of Economic Thought (in Italian) - Foundation Year 2023/24, Università per Stranieri di Siena
June 2024 (12 hours)
The course provides an overview of the history of economic thought, spanning from the 'marginal revolution' in the late 19th century to contemporary economics.