The course is among the characterizing activities of the MA Programme in Philosophical Sciences. It examines themes lying at the borders between our scientific knowledge of the natural world and the philosophical questions raised by the attempt to comprehend the fundamental structure of reality. Through the reading and critical discussion of both advanced texts in the philosophy of science and classic texts in the history of scientific thought, the basic assumptions and import of physics and the other natural sciences will be examined. At a more general level, the course aims to strengthen the competences that are necessary to formulate and evaluate philosophical arguments. At the end of the course, students will have acquired:
- an improved understanding and ability to critically analyse philosophical arguments, in particular about science;
- knowledge of significant episodes in the historical development of modern and contemporary science;
- improved communication and argumentation skills, especially in connection to the issues dealt with during the course;
- ability to read and evaluate the sources of the debate and its most recent developments, both in Italian and in English;
- better presentation and writing skills, in Italian and possibly in English.
- an improved understanding and ability to critically analyse philosophical arguments, in particular about science;
- knowledge of significant episodes in the historical development of modern and contemporary science;
- improved communication and argumentation skills, especially in connection to the issues dealt with during the course;
- ability to read and evaluate the sources of the debate and its most recent developments, both in Italian and in English;
- better presentation and writing skills, in Italian and possibly in English.
teacher profile teaching materials
First module: the value of scientific knowledge I: the scientific realism vs. antirealism debate
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the debate concerning scientific realism, presenting the main philosophical positions concerning the epistemic status of scientific theories, the aims of science and the idea of scientific progress
Second module: the value of scientific knowledge II: science, society and common sense
The aim of this module is to provide students with an overview ofthe main issues related to a) the social dimension of science and the sociology of science and b) the relationship between science and the commonsense image of the world
- C. Gabbani, Realismo e antirealismo scientifico, ETS
- I. Hacking, Conoscere e sperimentare, Laterza (capitoli 1-11 e capitolo 16)
- B. Van Fraassen: L’immagine scientifica, CLUEB, capitoli 1-4
- J. Worrall: ‘Il realismo scientifico e l’etere luminifero: contro la “meta-induzione” pessimistica’ in A. Pagnini (a cura di), Realismo/Antirealismo. Aspetti del dibattito epistemologico contemporaneo, La Nuova Italia, pp. 167-203
- L. Laudan, ‘Un approccio al progresso scientifico fondato sulla soluzione di problemi’, in I. Hacking, G. Giorello, Rivoluzioni scientifiche, Laterza, pp. 189-207
Second module:
- A. Lavazza, M. Marraffa, La guerra dei mondi, Codice (parti scelte, da definire durante il corso)
- M. Bucchi, Scienza e società, R. Cortina
- P. Feyerabend, ‘Come difendere la società contro la scienza’, in I. Hacking, G. Giorello, Rivoluzioni scientifiche, Laterza, pp. 209-228
[English translations or equivalents will be provided upon request]
Programme
The course is composed of two 6-credit modulesFirst module: the value of scientific knowledge I: the scientific realism vs. antirealism debate
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the debate concerning scientific realism, presenting the main philosophical positions concerning the epistemic status of scientific theories, the aims of science and the idea of scientific progress
Second module: the value of scientific knowledge II: science, society and common sense
The aim of this module is to provide students with an overview ofthe main issues related to a) the social dimension of science and the sociology of science and b) the relationship between science and the commonsense image of the world
Core Documentation
First module:- C. Gabbani, Realismo e antirealismo scientifico, ETS
- I. Hacking, Conoscere e sperimentare, Laterza (capitoli 1-11 e capitolo 16)
- B. Van Fraassen: L’immagine scientifica, CLUEB, capitoli 1-4
- J. Worrall: ‘Il realismo scientifico e l’etere luminifero: contro la “meta-induzione” pessimistica’ in A. Pagnini (a cura di), Realismo/Antirealismo. Aspetti del dibattito epistemologico contemporaneo, La Nuova Italia, pp. 167-203
- L. Laudan, ‘Un approccio al progresso scientifico fondato sulla soluzione di problemi’, in I. Hacking, G. Giorello, Rivoluzioni scientifiche, Laterza, pp. 189-207
Second module:
- A. Lavazza, M. Marraffa, La guerra dei mondi, Codice (parti scelte, da definire durante il corso)
- M. Bucchi, Scienza e società, R. Cortina
- P. Feyerabend, ‘Come difendere la società contro la scienza’, in I. Hacking, G. Giorello, Rivoluzioni scientifiche, Laterza, pp. 209-228
[English translations or equivalents will be provided upon request]
Type of delivery of the course
The course will be primarily based on traditional lectures by the teacher responsible. However, oral presentations and group discussions will also be encouraged. Moreover, students will be expected to prepare written essays on topics related to the course syllabus (3-4000 words on a topic of their choice, to be preliminarily discussed with the teacher responsible for the course). Even though they will not be marked, essays will be taken into account in the final examination.Attendance
Attendance is not compulsory, yet warmly recommendedType of evaluation
The final examination will consist in a written test: students will have 90 minutes to answer 4 questions