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Logic and Philosophy of Science
– School of Philosophy
University of Tasmania students enrolled in
either the BSc or the BA can major in Logic and Philosophy of Science.
This new major sequence provides an ideal alternative to existing
science degree patterns as well as providing philosophy students
interested in logic and science to specialise in those areas and
to have the opportunity to include some science units in their degree.
It will also be an ideal major to include in the proposed 5 year
What is Logic and Philosophy of Science?
Logic is the science of inference. It tells us whether particular
conclusions follow from given premises and as such has an important
role to play both in philosophy and in science. The study of logic
also raises many interesting philosophical questions such as: What
is the 'correct' logic for a given domain of discourse?;
Can there be one true logic?; and Does logic have anything to say
about the nature of the human mind and the prospects for artificial
intelligence programs?
Philosophy of Science is the critical study of the methodology,
results and consequences of scientific inquiry. Some of the important
questions philosophy of science addresses include:
Are our scientific theories true?
How can we know that our general laws will hold into the future
or in other parts of the universe?
Is our world deterministic or does quantum mechanics tell us that
at bottom it is probabilistic?
Does science tell us that electrons, quarks and the like really
exist?
How is it possible for altruistic behaviour to evolve in nature
Is it possible to affect the past?
Career Opportunities
A major in Logic and Philosophy of Science may be of use to students
in many fields. For instance, you should seriously consider it if
wishing to pursue a career in computing, policy making, science
journalism, or science education.
Content
Any student can study individual units in the program or can choose
to complete a major.
A major comprises 25% Philosophy (or equivalent)
and 25% Science at level 100, plus 75% of units from levels 200/300.
At least 25% of units must be taken at level 300.
FIRST YEAR (100 LEVEL)
HPA101 Philosophy 1A (Hobart) or HPA181 Introduction to Moral Philosophy (Launceston)
HPA102 Philosophy 1B (Hobart) or HPA182 Introduction to General Philosophy (Launceston)
HPA103 Critical Thinking
Plus 25% Science at level 100, for example Computer Science, Geography and Environmental Studies, Zoology, to name a few.
SECOND AND THIRD YEAR (200/300 LEVEL)
In second and third year you need to choose a total minimum of six units (75%) from the following list.
HPA207/307 Philosophy of Mind
HPA208/308 Metaphysical Puzzles
HPA213/313 Philosophy of Science
HPA216/316 Theory of Knowledge
HPA218/318 Philosophy of Biology
HPA256/356 Philosophy and Cosmology
HPA274/374 Science and Religion
HPA291/391 Introduction to Logic
HPA292/392 Logic and Philosophy
HPA294/394 The Logic of Decision
Note: Introduction to Logic is offered every year. The other units are normally offered on an odd/even year rotation. See the online handbook (http://www.utas.edu.au/units) for scheduling details.
DEGREE SAMPLES
A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in both Mathematics and Logic and
Philosophy of Science might look like this:
First year
25% 100 level Philosophy (HPA101/102 or HPA181/182)
25% Mathematics
25% Psychology
25% History
Second year
12.5% Introduction to Logic
12.5% Logic and Philosophy
12.5% The Logic of Decision
37.5% Mathematics
25% BA electives at 200 level (e.g. History)
Third year
12.5% Theory of Knowledge
12.5% Metaphysical Puzzles
12.5% Philosophy and Cosmology
37.5% Mathematics
25% BA electives at 300 level (e.g. History or Philosophy)
A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in both Physics and Logic and Philosophy of Science might look like this:
First year
25% Physics
25% Mathematics
25% Philosophy 1A and 1B
25% Chemistry
Second year
37.5% Physics
12.5% Mathematics
12.5% Introduction to Logic
12.5% The Logic of Decision
25% Science electives
Third year
50% Physics
12.5% Philosophy of Mind
12.5% Metaphysical Puzzles
12.5% Philosophy and Cosmology
12.5% Philosophy of Biology
Perhaps the most interesting feature of this major is that it allows BA students the opportunity to study some science, and BSc students the opportunity to study some philosophy. The flexibility of this major means that students can 'mix and match' to create a major sequence that reflects their own interests and needs. A student may wish to concentrate primarily on the reasoning subjects, or may wish to concentrate on the exploration of philosophical issues raised in physics, biology, cognitive psychology and linguistics, and the general philosophical questions raised by the nature of science and the pursuit of knowledge.
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