PHIL381 SCIENTIFIC METHOD I
| Course Code: | 2410381 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 7.0 |
| Department: | Philosophy |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Assoc.Prof.Dr. AZİZ FEVZİ ZAMBAK |
| Offered Semester: | Fall Semesters. |
Course Objectives
Philosophy of Science Course Syllabus
Course Title: Philosophy of Science
Level: Undergraduate (3rd and 4th years)
Instructor: Majid D. Beni
Email: mbeni@metu.edu.tr
Course Description
This course explores the foundational questions and concepts in the philosophy of science. It examines the nature of scientific knowledge, the methods of scientific inquiry, and the implications of scientific theories. Topics include the demarcation of science from non-science, the structure of scientific theories, scientific explanation, and the realism vs. anti-realism debate.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will:
Understand key concepts and debates in the philosophy of science. Critically evaluate scientific methods and theories. Apply philosophical analysis to scientific practices. Develop skills in logical reasoning and argumentation.
Background reading:
Chang, H., 2004. Inventing temperature: Measurement and scientific progress.
van Fraassen, B., 1989. Laws and Symmetry. Clarendon Press.
Johansson, L.G., 2016. Philosophy of science for scientists. Springer.
Course Outline
Week 1: Introduction to Philosophy of Science
- Overview of the course
- Key questions and themes
Readings:
- Ladyman, Understanding Philosophy of Science, Ch. 1
- Quine, W.V.O., 1995. From stimulus to science. Harvard University Press
Week 2: The Birth of a Discipline
- Logical Empiricism
Readings:
- Friedman, M., 1999. Reconsidering Logical Positivism. Cambridge University Press.
Week 3-4: The Scientific Method (introduction)
- Induction and deduction
- Hypothetico-deductive model
Readings:
- Norton, J.D., 2010. Deductively Definable Logics of Induction. Journal of Philosophical Logic, 39, pp.617-654.
- Douven, I., 2023. Explaining the success of induction. The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 74(2), pp.381-404.
- Chang, H., 2004. Inventing temperature: Measurement and scientific progress.
Week 5: Falsifiability and demarcation
Readings:
- Popper, K.R., 2015. The logic of scientific discovery. Central Works of Philosophy v4
Week 6: First mid-term
Week 7: Scientific Explanation
- Models of explanation (Hempel, Salmon)
Readings:
- Hempel, Aspects of Scientific Explanation;
- Salmon, W.C., 2006. Four decades of scientific explanation. University of Pittsburgh press.
Week 8-9: Causation and Laws of Nature
- Psillos, S., 2014. Causation and explanation. Routledge.
- Dretske, F.I., 1977. Laws of nature. Philosophy of science, 44(2), pp.248-268.
- Beebee, H., 2000. The non-governing conception of laws of nature. Philosophical and Phenomenological Research, pp.571-594.
Week 10: second mid-term
Week 11: Theory Change and Scientific Revolutions
- Paradigms and scientific revolutions (Kuhn)
- Incommensurability and theory choice
Readings:
- Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions;
- Chang, H., 2004. Inventing temperature: Measurement and scientific progress.
Week 12-13: Realism and Anti-Realism
- Arguments for and against scientific realism
- Constructive empiricism (van Fraassen)
Readings:
- Carnap, R., 1950. Empiricism, semantics, and ontology.
- van Fraassen, 1980, The Scientific Image;
- Ladyman, J., 2000. What's really wrong with constructive empiricism? Van Fraassen and the metaphysics of modality. The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 51(4), pp.837-856.
Week 14: group presentations
Assessment
- Pop-up Quizzes (20%): Unannounced quizzes throughout the semester.
- Midterm Exam (30%): Covers material from the first half of the course.
- Final Essay (30%): A 2,000-word essay on a topic chosen from the course.
- Participation (20%): Active participation in class discussions and activities.
Policies
- Late Submissions: Assignments submitted late will incur a penalty of 5% per day.
- Academic Integrity: Plagiarism and cheating are strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.
Course Content
Observation and experimentation. Induction, deduction and the hypothetico-deductive method. Scientific hypotheses, laws and theories.