PHIL 144:  Introduction to the Philosophy of Natural and Social Science

Spring Semester 2014 | Day | Burnaby

INSTRUCTOR: Holly Andersen, WMX 5611 (holly_andersen@sfu.ca)

REQUIRED TEXT

• The Birth of a New Physics by Bernard Cohen.  Penguin; ISBN:  978-0393300451

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is a historically oriented introduction to some major issues in philosophy of science. What distinguishes science from pseudoscience? How do scientific theories change through time? What does science tell us about what ‘really’ exists? We will first look at the trajectory of ideas that leads from the physics of Aristotle to the physics of Newton. Using the discoveries of Kepler, Galileo, and others, the class will learn about key historical developments that led to the development of science as a method. We will then alternate with a week in which we examine a contemporary theory or development in science that raises the same philosophical issues as its historical counterpart. The class will use these historical scientific landmarks to motivate more general philosophical questions about the nature of modern science and what it tells us about our world.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• 2 papers (25% each) -50%               
• Midterm -20%                                 
• Final Exam -30%                           
  

Prerequisites: Philosophy 144 has no prerequisites.  Philosophy 144 may be applied toward one of the B-Science and the B-Humanities requirements, and to the Certificate in Liberal Arts.