This module will provide a critical overview of philosophical questions about the aims and methods of science.  We start by looking at attempts to characterise the nature of science and experimentation, and whether they provide ways of successfully demarcating science from pseudo-science.  We then look to questions about the objectivity of science: are scientific observations, theory choice, and scientific practice itself free from expectations, bias, and values?  And if they aren’t, does this mark a significant problem (what is ‘objectivity’ anyway)?  We will also look at newer work on the epistemological status of models and computer simulations in scientific research, and finally come to a central question in philosophy of science: to what extent, and in what way, are our current scientific theories true?

• Understand and describe classical and recent work in philosophy of science
• Identify problems with philosophical positions as well as potential responses to them
• Construct arguments, both verbally and in written work, drawing on relevant philosophical and empirical work
• Extract material relevant to a particular problem from a large body of literature
• Work independently

The course will be taught through weekly lectures and seminars. There will be two formative coursework essays.

• the ability to decompose, reconstruct and analyse philosophical arguments
• the ability to describe and critically assess the main strengths and weaknesses of philosophical positions  
• the ability to construct clear arguments, both verbally and in written work, drawing on relevant philosophical (and empirical) work where relevant
• the ability to work independently

Students will develop employability skills which include the ability to synthesise information, operating in group-based discussion involving negotiating ideas and producing clear, informed arguments in a professional manner.

The formative assessment for this module will consist of two essays of 1,500 words maximum each.

The summative assessment for this module will consist of two essays of 2,000 words maximum each.

This module is assessed according to the Marking Criteria set out in the Philosophy Undergraduate Student Handbook. There are otherwise no academic or competence standards which limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for students with disabilities.

A critical review of topics in philosophy of science including:

1. What is the difference between science and pseudo-science? And why does it matter?
2. Is science ‘objective’? Are observations ‘theory-free’? What governs theory choice? What is ‘objectivity’ and can it encompass biases and values?
3. Measurement
4. Models and simulations
5. Realism

Many of the readings will be drawn from these textbooks, and other readings will be provided either in a course handbook or will be made available online. However, you are advised not to purchase books until seeing the reading list.

Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science. P. Godfrey Smith, 2003, University of Chicago Press.

Philosophy of Science: The Central Issues. J. A. Cover, M. Curd and C. Pincock, 2012, W. W. Norton and Company. (Or 1998 first edition).

Representing and Intervening. Ian Hacking, 1983, Cambridge University Press.

This will be available on Learning Central.