MATTHEW H. SLATER
  • 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

RESC 098:
Revolutions in Scientific Understanding

History and Philosophy of Science Seminar
Part of the Discovery Residential College
Fall 2014 Syllabus
Karl Popper, an influential philosopher and historian of science proposed that "Science must begin with myths, and with the criticism of myths." From this perspective, we can trace the historical origin of science back to creation stories and the metaphysics of ancient philosophy. But how did science as we know it today emerge from this myth-infused origin? Is science a special or privileged way of expanding our knowledge of the world? What makes a theory "scientific"? What propels scientific revolutions? In addressing these questions, course will contest a common (if unspoken) myth about science: that it has no creation story, that it had to be the way it is. Our attention to the history and philosophy of science will focus on the themes of the role of science in society and in the development of our conception of ourselves in relation to nature.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • 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