MATTHEW H. SLATER
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PHIL 220:
Philosophy of Science

Understanding the scientific enterprise

Spring 2021
​T/R 3:20–4:40PM (in-person instruction)
Philosophy and the natural sciences have long enjoyed a close association. The twentieth century in particular saw unprecedented philosophical focus on a series of related conceptual and methodological questions concerning science. What divides science from pseudo-science? What is it to “explain” phenomena? How do the sciences give us understanding of the natural world? Is there a distinctive “scientific method”? Do scientists have special ethical obligations? How should democratic societies go about ordering their research priorities? Does the scientific community deserve the public’s trust? What would that mean? We’ll address these and other questions through a mixture of philosophical analysis and detailed examination of case studies across the sciences.

Prerequisite: Philosophy 100 or permission of the instructor (please email me with your BUID and the nature of your interest in and preparation for the course).

Required Texts:
Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (4th edition)
Strevens, The Knowledge Machine
Ritchie, Science Fictions
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  • Home
  • Teaching
    • Current and Future Courses >
      • PHIL 103: Logic
    • Previous Courses >
      • RESC 098: Revolutions in Scientific Understanding
      • PHIL 100: Philosophy in Film
      • PHIL 100: Belief & Reality
      • UNIV 200: Climate Change
      • PHIL 201: Symbolic Logic
      • PHIL 220: Philosophy of Science
      • PHIL 222: Analytic Philosophy
      • PHIL 224: Epistemology
      • PHIL 268: Science in the Public Eye
      • PHIL 272: Philosophy of Biology
      • PHIL 311: Socializing Epistemology
    • Student Resources >
      • Writing Resources
      • Presentation Advice
      • Recommendations
    • Calendar
  • Research
    • Books >
      • Are Species Real?
      • The Nature of Biological Kinds
    • Published & Forthcoming
    • Current Projects
    • The Production of Public Understanding of Science
  • Personal
  • Photography
  • Blog