Philosophy 330

Philosophy of Science

Tuesday/Thursday

Science, as a method of inquiry, claims to give us objective knowledge of the natural world around us. The products of scientific inquiry are laws and theories which posit and explain the behavior of entities and processes. Philosophy of science is not science, but reflects on the conceptual issues raised by this picture of science. Among other issues, philosophy of science wonders: How is science different from other areas of human activity? What kind of reasoning results in objective knowledge? How is a law different from a theory? How are laws and theories confirmed and disconfirmed? When is it rational to accept or reject a theory?

This semester we will ponder these and other general questions about science but will also address some particular philosophical issues raised in the biological sciences. Philosophy of biology is that part of philosophy of science which asks: How is science different from religion? What is the evolution v. intelligent design debate? Is Darwinian adaptation a tautology? Why would that be a problem? What is a species? What gets >selected= in natural selection? How and what does biology explain? What makes for a good explanation?

Answers to philosophical questions are presented in the form of arguments for a particular conclusion. As a result, philosophy itself proceeds through debate and a critical discussion of arguments. Consequently we will spend some time in class discussing and using strategies of critical thinking and logical analysis. You may want to dig out that book you used in the course which satisfied the A-2 (critical reasoning) requirement.

Philosophy of Science (Philosophy 330) satisfies the C-3 section of upper-division general education. The course has no specific prerequisites in philosophy or biology, though the happier student will have some interest in either or both topics.

Texts:

Klemke et al (eds), Introductory Readings in the Philosophy of Science, 3^rd Edition, Prometheus

Michael Ruse (ed), Philosophy of Biology (1998), Prometheus

Course Requirements:

1.Reading/argument summaries (25%)

2. In-class exam (25%)

3. Evolution v. Intelligent Design Project (25%)

4. Final paper, due at the end of classes (25%)