Hobart, Launceston
Introduction
Science is our most successful attempt to understand the world around us, and it plays an extremely important role in contemporary society. As such, we should not ignore the possibility that science may have something to contribute to traditional philosophical debates about the nature of the world and our place in it. But nor should we, as philosophers or ordinary citizens, ignore the limitations of science and accept everything scientists tell us uncritically.
In this unit we cast a philosophical eye over science, considering questions like What is science? What makes something a science rather than a pseudo-science? Are there limits to scientific knowledge? We will also cast a scientific eye on philosophy, considering what science might have to tell us about such issues as what it is to be human, the philosophy of time, the question of design in and of the natural world, and the nature explanation. This unit will be of interest to philosophy majors following the Logic and Philosophy of science stream, to students studying in a bachelor of science, or to anyone who is interested in the nature of science.
The exact content of this unit will rotate from year to year. For more specific information about the content of this unit in any given year, see the Teaching Plan available at the Philosophy homepage.
Summary 2022
| Unit name | Philosophy of Science |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HPH306 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| Faculty/School | College of Arts, Law and Education School of Humanities |
| Discipline | Philosophy and Gender Studies |
| Coordinator | Dr. Richard Corry |
| Teaching staff | |
| Level | Advanced |
| Available as student elective? | Yes |
| Breadth Unit? | No |
Availability
Note
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* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (see withdrawal dates explained for more information).
Learning Outcomes
- Understand some of the philosophical issues that lie at the foundations of science.
- Analyse and critically assess philosophical arguments.
- Engage with a range of philosophical views, synthesising perspectives to arrive at reflectively formed judgements.
- Communicate your ideas and reasoning in a clear manner.
- Appreciate the potential and limitations of scientific and rational enquiry.
Fees
Requisites
25 points at introductory level in any discipline in any faculty
Mutual Exclusions
You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:
HPA213-A AND HPA356-A AND HPA313-A AND HPA256-A
Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | On Campus: Off Campus: |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Task 1: Take-home exam (40%) Task 2: Scenario, article summary (15%) Task 3: Essay plan (5%) Task 4: Essay (40%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required | Information about any textbook requirements will be available from mid November. |
|---|---|
| Recommended |
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.