Philosophy 3330:
Philosophy of Science
Spring, 2014
Professor Joel Velasco
Office: 265G (Eng/phil building)
Office
Hours: T, TR 2:00-3:00 or by appointment
Class meets MWF, 1:00-1:50 (in Phil 164)
You can download a copy of the syllabus here:
syllabus
Description:
An introduction to fundamental philosophical problems concerning the nature of science. Topics include criteria for the confirmation and falsification of scientific theories, the character of scientific explanation, realism about unobservable entities, the objectivity of science, and issues having to do with the ways in which scientific knowledge changes over time.
Books available at the university bookstore:
Peter Godfrey-Smith, Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science, University of Chicago Press, 2003 (= PGS)
Evaluation: Grades for this course will be based upon two in-class examinations and upon two papers. Each is worth roughly 25% of the final grade. A student must receive a passing grade on each of these components in order to pass the course.
Class Participation: Philosophy is a communal enterprise: the ability to make valuable oral
contributions to philosophical discussions can be as important as the ability to write well.
Moreover, since the written assignments will force the students to think carefully about very
specific topics, participation in class discussion is an important way for students to demonstrate a
broader competence with the material than is possible in the papers alone. Students are
encouraged to continue class discussions after the class is over, by meeting with me in person or
continuing the discussion over e-mail. Students who for any
reason have difficulty speaking up in class are especially encouraged to pursue these options. It
should go without saying that attendance is an absolutely essential component of class
participation.
Electronic Devices: Students may have laptop computers, or other portable electronic devices, for the purpose of taking notes, and occasionally looking up material relevant to class discussion. However, there will be no internet-surfing, texting, tweeting, instant messaging, e-mailing, gaming, or other use of electronic devices not directly related to class. Also, please silence all phones before class starts.
Special Accommodations: If you have a disability or personal circumstance that will require special accommodation, please do not hesitate to contact me.
This is a tentative schedule/reading list:
Week 1 - Introduction
- Wed, 1/15
- Fri, 1/17
- Extras:
Week 2 - Falsificationism, Holism
- Mon, 1/20 (NO CLASS - HOLIDAY)
- Wed, 1/22
- Fri, 1/24
Week 3 - Demarcation and Creationism
- Mon, 1/27
- Ruse, Creation Science is not Science (pdf of all three)
- Laudan, Commentary: Science at the Bar: Causes for Concern
- Ruse, Response to the Commentary: Pro Judice
- Extras:
- Wed, 1/29
- Plantinga, When Faith and Reason Clash: Evolution and the Bible (pdf of both)
- McMullin, Evolution and Special Creation
- Fri, 1/31
- Atkins, Purposeless People (pdf of both)
- Gardner, Science and the Unknowable
- Extras:
- Feyerabend, Science as Myth (pdf of both)
- Dawkins, Science is not a Religion
Week 4 - The Problem of Induction
- Mon, 2/3
- Hume on Induction (from An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding)
- PGS ch. 3.1, 3.2
- Wed, 2/5
- Fri, 2/7
Week 5 - Bayesianism
- Mon, 2/10
- Wed, 2/12
- Strevens, Notes on Bayesian Confirmation Theory, section 7
- Fri, 2/14
- Extras:
***First Exam handed out***
- Here it is - it is due in my email inbox by 1:00pm Friday, Feb 21st
Week 6 - Scientific Explanation
- Mon, 2/17
- Wed, 2/19
- No new reading (really, catch up day to discuss Hempel and Oppenheim)
- Fri, 2/21
- CLASS WAS CANCELLED (Joel was sick)
Week 7 - Explanation in Biology
- Mon, 2/24
- Wed, 2/26
- More on counterexamples to the DN model
- Fri, 2/28
Week 8 - Kuhn
- Mon, 3/3
- Wed, 3/5
- Fri, 3/7
- Extras
*** First Paper Assignment***
- The assignment with topic suggestions
- Academic Integrity: Cheating and plagiarism are, of course, prohibited in this class just as they are in all university classes. They will be taken particularly seriously in this class, and any cases that may arise will be treated in a manner consistent with University policy. These two violations of academic integrity are each defined in the section of the Texas Tech online official publications titled “Academic Integrity.” Plagiarism is there described as follows:
“'Plagiarism' includes, but is not limited to, the appropriation of, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means material that is attributable in whole or in part to another source, including words, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, other expression and media, and presenting that material as one’s own academic work being offered for credit.” http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentconduct/academicinteg.php
You can find excellent explanations of what specifically constitutes plagiarism as opposed to proper citation, and also tutorials on how to avoid plagiarism at the following websites: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/sources/
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
Note: If, at any time, you are at all unclear about what counts as plagiarism, or about whether you are properly citing sources in any of your written work, please just come by and ask me about it. You do not want to be confused or careless about this serious matter.
- Advice on writing philosophy papers:
- This is good advice (and really cool)
- Advice from Bryan Francis (including great advice for bad papers)
- Advice from Jim Pryor
Week 9 - After Kuhn
- Mon, 3/10
- Wed, 3/12
- Fri, 3/14
SPRING BREAK - 3/15-3/22
Week 10 - The Sociology of Science
Week 11 - Feminism and the Philosophy of Science
- Mon, 3/31
- PGS ch. 9
- Extra: The Wikipedia article about the Sokal Affair is pretty good. Sokal's own website with links to the texts of various articles about the whole thing here
- Wed, 4/2
- Fri, 4/4
- Extras:
Week 12 - Values in Science