Philosophy of Science Course

Lesson 1 • Observation and Empirical Evidence

Analyzes the role of observation in generating scientific data. Explores how theory shapes what counts as evidence.

Lesson 2 • Defining Science and Its Scope

Examines competing definitions of science and the boundaries of scientific knowledge. Sets the vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Knowledge, Belief, and Justification

Introduces epistemological foundations underlying scientific claims. Connects theories of knowledge to standards of evidence.

Lesson 1 • Fallacies and Reasoning Errors

Identifies common logical fallacies that distort scientific reasoning. Equips students to detect flawed arguments in research.

Lesson 2 • Abductive Reasoning and Inference

Introduces inference to the best explanation as a core scientific strategy. Shows how abduction guides hypothesis selection.

Lesson 3 • Deductive Reasoning in Science

Covers the structure of valid deductive arguments and their role in hypothesis testing. Links formal logic to scientific practice.

Lesson 4 • Probability and Bayesian Reasoning

Introduces probabilistic logic and Bayesian updating as tools for evaluating evidence. Connects probability theory to scientific inference.

Lesson 1 • The Deductive-Nomological Model

Presents the classic covering-law account of explanation and its formal requirements. Establishes a baseline for comparing rival models.

Lesson 2 • Unification and Functional Explanation

Explores explanatory unification and functional accounts used in biology and social science. Evaluates their scope and limits.

Lesson 3 • Statistical and Probabilistic Explanation

Extends explanation to cases where laws are statistical rather than universal. Addresses relevance and high-probability requirements.

Lesson 4 • Causal and Mechanistic Explanation

Examines causal and mechanistic accounts as alternatives to covering-law models. Connects explanation to underlying processes.

Lesson 1 • Falsificationism and Popper's Criterion

Presents Popper's falsifiability as a demarcation criterion and theory of scientific growth. Evaluates its strengths and weaknesses.

Lesson 2 • The Hypothetico-Deductive Method

Details the HD method as the standard framework for testing scientific hypotheses. Connects prediction to experimental design.

Lesson 3 • The Duhem-Quine Thesis

Analyzes holism in testing and the underdetermination of theory by evidence. Shows why no single experiment can refute a theory alone.

Lesson 4 • Confirmation and the Ravens Paradox

Examines Hempel's confirmation theory and its paradoxes. Reveals deep puzzles in the logic of evidential support.

Lesson 1 • The Nature of Scientific Laws

Distinguishes laws of nature from accidental generalizations and examines their logical form. Connects law-talk to scientific explanation.

Lesson 2 • Humean and Non-Humean Accounts

Contrasts Humean regularity theory with necessitarian and dispositional accounts of laws. Evaluates each view's explanatory power.

Lesson 3 • Reduction, Emergence, and Levels

Examines reductionism and emergence as frameworks for relating scientific disciplines. Evaluates inter-level causation and explanatory autonomy.

Lesson 4 • Theories of Causation

Surveys regularity, counterfactual, probabilistic, and mechanistic theories of causation. Assesses their adequacy for scientific practice.

Lesson 1 • The Pessimistic Meta-Induction

Examines Laudan's challenge to realism based on historical theory change. Evaluates realist responses to the discontinuity problem.

Lesson 2 • Social Constructivism in Science

Analyzes strong and weak constructivist claims about scientific knowledge. Distinguishes sociological from philosophical critiques of realism.

Lesson 3 • Scientific Realism Defined

Introduces the core commitments of scientific realism regarding truth, reference, and progress. Establishes the debate's central terms.

Lesson 4 • Instrumentalism and Constructive Empiricism

Presents instrumentalism and van Fraassen's constructive empiricism as major anti-realist alternatives. Contrasts observable vs. unobservable entities.

Lesson 1 • Lakatos and Research Programmes

Examines Lakatos's methodology of scientific research programmes as a refinement of falsificationism. Distinguishes progressive from degenerative programmes.

Lesson 2 • Feyerabend and Scientific Anarchism

Analyzes Feyerabend's critique of methodological rules and his 'anything goes' thesis. Evaluates pluralism as a philosophy of science.

Lesson 3 • Case Studies in Theory Change

Applies models of scientific change to landmark historical transitions. Develops analytical skills for evaluating real episodes of science.

Lesson 4 • Kuhn's Structure of Scientific Revolutions

Presents Kuhn's paradigm model of normal science and revolutionary change. Introduces incommensurability as a central philosophical problem.

Lesson 1 • Epistemic and Non-Epistemic Values

Distinguishes values that guide theory choice from social and political values in science. Examines value-ladenness of scientific judgment.

Lesson 2 • Objectivity and Its Varieties

Analyzes multiple conceptions of scientific objectivity and their philosophical grounding. Evaluates procedural and substantive objectivity.

Lesson 3 • The Aims and Ideals of Science

Synthesizes the course by examining what science ultimately aims to achieve. Students articulate a defensible philosophy of science.

Lesson 4 • Research Ethics and Integrity

Covers ethical norms governing scientific conduct, data handling, and publication. Connects philosophical principles to professional standards.