CAL 568 Philosophy of Science and Technology
This course provides an in-depth analysis of the area of philosophy that examines the aims, methods, goals, and practices of "science" and the quest for "scientific truth." In addition to the traditional topics of induction and confirmation, falsification, theory-ladeness of observation, demarcation, realism/instrumentalism/relativism debates, and the "science wars" of the late 20th century, special attention is given to current debates regarding the role of cultural, sociological, and psychological factors in scientific work as well as the state of particular scientific fields. Readings include such seminal figures as Hempel, Carnap, Duhem, Goodman, Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos, and Feyerabend, as well as contemporary thinkers like Putnam, McMullin, van Fraassen, and Kitcher.
Prerequisite
Graduate Student or At Least Junior
Distribution
College of Arts and Letters