Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - PHIL 341 B100

Philosophy of Science (3)

Class Number: 7301

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Either one of: PHIL 201 or 203; or both of PHIL 100, 100W, or 300, and COGS 200.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A study of the nature of scientific enquiry, classificatory systems, laws and theories, the role of observation in science, the demarcation between science and non-science, causality, the status of theoretical constructs, and teleological explanation.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will focus on issues central to philosophy of science, centering around the themes of explanation, language and representation, and how these implicitly involve or necessitate the social character of scientific research. Our goal will be an overview of the topic from an integrated historical and philosophical perspective, with an in-depth understanding of some core areas of current discussions. What is the relationship between the sciences and philosophy of science? What forms do scientific explanations take, and are there genuine differences among kinds of explanations given by different sciences, or among types of explanations such as causal versus mathematical? How central is explanation-seeking and –provision to the activities in science, and how do linguistic devices such as equations, special terminology, and models relate to the world/systems being modeled? How do scientific perspectives and knowledge interlace with other systems of knowledge such as Indigenous ones, and how do fields like ethnobotany differ from other approaches to the same subject matter?

Grading

  • Papers: Three 5-8 page papers (25% respectively). These will structure your mastery of specific philosophical writing skills. The first will be exegetical. The second will involve a targeted criticism of some portion of some text. The third will develop an original point. 75%
  • Weekly assignments: These will be responses to the readings and discussions. These will very: most will be written in class, and some will be completed outside of class. 25%

NOTES:

The assignments for the course are structured to cultivate specific philosophical skills. Consider the assignments and their relative weightings as an incentive structure for engaging in the practices that will result in your improvement as a philosophical reader, writer, and interlocutor, as well as improving your mastery of the relevant content.

REQUIREMENTS:

Course delivery: blended. Enrollment requried in both B100 (in person lecture), and B101, the online asynchronous portion of the course. 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All course materials will be available for download as PDFs through the SFU Library.


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 philcomm@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

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