Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - PHIL 455W B100

Contemporary Issues in Epistemology and Metaphysics (4)

Measurement in Science

Class Number: 7688

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Tue, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Two 300-division PHIL courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

May be repeated for credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Measurement in Science

[Note: this course is to be taught concurrently with PHIL 804.]

“…measurement, in the broadest sense, is defined as the assignment of numerals to objects or events according to rules.” So writes psychologist S. S. Stevens in 1946. In this broadest sense, measurement is what turns the experiential world into something that science can work with. Despite its importance, measurement is often overlooked in philosophical (or even scientific) discussions of the scientific method. We often assume that we get data directly from the world, and that the empiricist project starts only after we all make the same (single, correct) observations.

This class introduces students to the (limited but slowly increasing) literature on scientific measurement. The literature itself is quite fragmented and primarily consists of writings by non-philosophers in non-philosophical contexts. There is no grand framework or agenda. Students are encouraged to pick and choose parts of the class to emphasize on, and to connect class content with their existing philosophical interest.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course may be applied towards the Writing Requirement (and the upper division Writing Requirement for Philosophy majors).


Grading

  • Choose between the following grading schemes: A or B. See notes! 100%

NOTES:

Course delivery: Blended.  In person 3 hours per week (section B100). 
Students should use the extra hour each week (section B101) on coming up with discussion questions (if grading option A is chosen) or reading extra texts (if grading option B is chosen).

Choose between the following grading schemes:

A. 2 Short Papers (30% x 2 = 60%) + Discussion Questions (20%) + Discussion Lead (20%)


    Discussion Questions (2% x 10 = 20% of total grade)

Every week (except the 1st and 10th week), you can submit a discussion question online for 2% (marked by completion), for a maximum of 20% total.

    Discussion Leading (20% of total grade)

Choose a week to lead class discussion. You should read over discussion questions others have submitted and try to cover the emerging themes. You can also bring up perspectives especially interesting to you.

    Short Papers (30% x 2 = 60% of total grade) (4-5 pages each)

This option is intended for students who are interested in learning class material but not in engaging with it as a researcher. For summary papers, identify 2 or 3 readings from the course, summarize the main arguments from each, and discuss how they relate to or differ from each other. A list of suggested topics can be found in a separate document.

B. Long paper (80%) + Paper Presentation (20%)

    Long Paper (80%) (15-20 pages)

This option is intended for students who want to write a research paper. Technically only the final draft is graded, but I’ll provide a series of benchmarks to help first-time research-paper-writers stay on track. These can be found in a separate document. Missing these benchmarks will not affect your grade. If you are thinking about potentially using this paper as a writing sample or portfolio paper, please let me know (it should affect the kind of thesis you pursue).

    Paper Presentation (20%) (20-min max)

In week 10, people writing long papers will give a short presentation of your ideas to receive comments. You’ll get full grade as long as you do it. Please take this as an opportunity to practice presenting your own ideas and getting feedback on them (which is a necessary skill for academia).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All class materials will be available electronically, including scans of book excerpts.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philmgr@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

New elective grade policy : P/CR/NC, pilot project in place from Spring 2021 to Summer 2023. List of exclusions for the new policy. Specifically for Philosophy: 

  • Students can use a P or CR to satisfy any requirement for a major, joint major, honours, or minor in Philosophy (with the exception of Honours tutorials).
  • Students can use a P or CR to satisfy any prerequisite requirement for any PHIL course.
  • Students can use a P (but not a CR) to satisfy any requirement for the Ethics Certificate, or the Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate.
  • Philosophy Majors and Honours students can use a P (but not a CR) to satisfy any WQB requirement.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html