Phil of Science

Catalog description

This course is concerned with the nature of scientific theories and the evidence for them, as well as the ways these theories develop and change. Examples of the sorts of problems to be considered are: the distinction between science and pseudo-science, the status of theoretical entities, confirmation and disconfirmation of theories, falsifiability, induction, explanation, empirical equivalence and underdetermination, and realism vs. antirealism about scientific theories. Examples of theories will be drawn from classical as well as contemporary science. Prerequisite: one prior PHI course or permission of instructor.