Undergraduate Course: Advanced Topics in Philosophy of Science (PHIL10050)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Philosophy |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
http://www.philosophy.ed.ac.uk |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course is in three parts, comprising seminars on three sets of current issues in the philosophy of science. The first part covers the debate between scientific realists and anti-realists, the second part covers issues in quantum mechanics and the third part covers the philosophy of biology. The realism/anti-realism seminars discuss the major arguments for scientific realism and the range of anti-realist alternatives, (including instrumentalism, conventionalism and constructive empiricism). The quantum mechanics seminars cover issues in non-locality, realism and the role of the observer in quantum theory. The philosophy of biology seminars cover issues in the nature of evolutionary explanation, and may include discussions of such topics as the units of selection, species and natural kinds, function and teleology in biology. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 Philosophy courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| The coursework involves close and critical analysis of various historical and current views on central issues in the philosophy of science. Students are asked to read, critically assess and discuss some of the most important texts in these fields. Students are encouraged to develop their skills in individual research through the writing of essays, and to develop their critical, analytic and communication skills through informal discussion and oral presentations in tutorial groups. |
Assessment Information
Assessment will be by 2-hour examination in the June diet. Senior Honours students may opt to write a long essay (approximately 5000 words) in lieu of the final exam.
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
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| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Alasdair Richmond
Tel: (0131 6)50 3656
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Susan Richards
Tel: (0131 6)51 3733
Email: |
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