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
The course will introduce and analyse some central themes in epistemology and the philosophy of science, having to do with knowledge. In particular, the following, mutually interconnected questions will be dealt with:
i) Is it possible to provide a coherent definition of the notion of knowledge? (Problem of definition);
ii) Can we know that there is an external world, actually possessing - approximately - the characteristics that it seems to have? (Problem of skepticism);
iii) Can we acquire knowledge of the external world based on experience? (Problem of induction);
iv) Is it reasonable to believe that science provides us with knowledge of the world beyond the phenomena? (Problem of scientific realism).
R. Audi, Epistemology. A Contemporary Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge, Routledge.
D. Hume, An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding (any edition), sections II-VII; alternatively, A Treatise of Human Nature, ed. Selby-Bigge (Clarendon) or Norton and Norton (Oxford University Press), book I, parts I and III.
P. Dicken, A Critical Introduction to Scientific Realism, Bloomsbury OR S. Psillos, Scientific Realism. How Science Tracks Truth, Routledge.
Programme
LA NATURA E I LIMITI DELLA CONOSCENZA EMPIRICAThe course will introduce and analyse some central themes in epistemology and the philosophy of science, having to do with knowledge. In particular, the following, mutually interconnected questions will be dealt with:
i) Is it possible to provide a coherent definition of the notion of knowledge? (Problem of definition);
ii) Can we know that there is an external world, actually possessing - approximately - the characteristics that it seems to have? (Problem of skepticism);
iii) Can we acquire knowledge of the external world based on experience? (Problem of induction);
iv) Is it reasonable to believe that science provides us with knowledge of the world beyond the phenomena? (Problem of scientific realism).
Core Documentation
All students, and in particular incoming Erasmus students, can use the following texts in English if they prefer to:R. Audi, Epistemology. A Contemporary Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge, Routledge.
D. Hume, An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding (any edition), sections II-VII; alternatively, A Treatise of Human Nature, ed. Selby-Bigge (Clarendon) or Norton and Norton (Oxford University Press), book I, parts I and III.
P. Dicken, A Critical Introduction to Scientific Realism, Bloomsbury OR S. Psillos, Scientific Realism. How Science Tracks Truth, Routledge.
Type of delivery of the course
The lectures are expected to be traditional classroom lectures. However, if required, lectures might take place in the form of distance learning through the university platforms.Attendance
Attendance is highly recommended but not compulsory.Type of evaluation
Students are invited (not required) to give oral presentations. A 3-4000 words essay can also be written on a topic to be agreed upon with the lecturer. The quality of the essay will be taken into account for the final mark. The final exam will be written, unless required otherwise. Students will have approximately 90 minutes at their disposal for writing short answers to 4 or 5 questions. If requested, especially by Erasmus students, the exam can be done in English.