“ Ch. 2
“ Finish Ch. 2
“ Ch. 3
Philosophy of Science
Philosophy 314-01 (Special Topics), Spring 2007
Instructor: Jeffrey A. Bell, Ph.D.
Time: 10:00-10:50 in Fayard 237
Office Hours: 9-10, 11-1pm MWF, 2-3pm F, or by appointment.
Office: Fayard 355C (ext. 3918).
email: jbell@selu.edu
course website: www.selu.edu/Academics/Faculty/jbell
Jan 29
Jan 31
Feb 2
Feb 5
Feb 7
Feb 9
“ Finish Ch. 3
“ Ch. 4
“ Finish Ch. 4
Paper topics # 1 handed out.
Required Reading:
1. Karl Popper, “Truth, Rationality, and the Growth of Scientific
Knowledge” (online).
2. Thomas Kuhn, The Copernican Revolution.
3. Bruno Latour and Steve Woolgar, Laboratory Life.
4. Papineau, ed. The Philosophy of Science.
Feb 12
Feb 14
Feb 16
“ Ch. 5
“ Finish Ch. 5
“ Ch. 6
Study sheet for Midterm handed out
Course Objective
This course will examine important arguments and themes in the
philosophy of science –e.g., nature of truth; scientific method;
reality of scientific entities; etc.
Course Requirements
There will be one midterm exam (20%), a final (30%), and two
written assignments. The first written assignment (20%) is to be 4
pages long (1000 words, no less), and is to be selected from a list
of topics that I will hand out in class. The second written
assignment (30%) is to be 6 pages long (1500 words) and on a
topic of your choosing that is relevant to this course. You can elect
to write only one term paper, 2500 words long, and worth 50% of
your final grade, but to do this you must pre-approve your paper at
least one week prior to the due date of the first paper. Others must
also clear topics of their second paper some time prior to the time
the paper is due. The two exams will have a section of short
answers, and an essay question. I will hand out a study sheet one
week prior to each exam.
Attendance Requirements
Class participation is an integral part of the course. Failure to
attend class regularly will harm your final grade. Note: the
readings will be supplemented with lectures, and material
from these lectures will appear on the exams. Consequently, to
encourage regular attendance there will be certain rules: 1) only 5
unexcused absences will be allowed. Anyone who exceeds this
limit will receive an F. An absence is accepted if there is (1)
personal illness, (2) illness or death of a family member, (3)
legitimate participation in school activities such as sports and
music, and (4) events beyond your control (e.g., car breaks down, a
wreck, court appearance). You must clear these absences with me,
otherwise I will mark them down as unexcused. And if you are late
be sure to see that I put your name on the role to avoid an
unexcused absence. I will drop freshmen and sophmores who have
excessive absences. Note: if any handicaps prohibit the fulfilment
of these requirements, let me know.
Reading Assignments
Jan 17 Introduction
Jan 19 Popper, “Truth, Rationality, and the Growth of
Scientific Knowledge” (online).
Jan 22
Jan 24
Jan 26
“
Latour and Woolgar, Laboratory Life, Ch. 1
Finish Ch. 1
Feb 19, 21 No Class. Mardi Gras.
Feb 23
“ Finish Ch. 6
Papers Due
Feb 26
Feb 28
Mar 2
Postscript, pp. 273-85; Review
Midterm.
Collins and Evans, “The Third Wave of Science
Studies.”
Mar 5
Mar 7
Mar 9
“
“
“Progress or Rationality,” in Papineau, pp. 194-214
Mar 12
“Rationality and Objectivity in Science,” in
Papineau, pp. 256-288.
No Class. Social Studies Fair.
“
March 16 is last day to drop.
Mar 14
Mar 16
Mar 19
Mar 21
Mar 23
Mar 26
Mar 28
Mar 30
Apr 2
Apr 4
Kuhn, Copernican Revolution, Ch. 1
“ Ch. 2
“ Ch. 3
“ Ch. 4
“ Ch. 5
“ Ch. 6
“ Ch. 7
“Natural Ontological Attitude,” in Papineau,
pp. 21-43.
April 6 – 13 No Class. Spring Break.
Apr 16
Apr 18
Apr 20
“NOA’s Ark,” in Papineau, pp. 45-60.
“
Hacking, from Representing and Intervening
(online).
Study sheet for Final handed out.
Apr 23
Apr 25
Apr 27
“
“
“Fundamentalism vs. the Patchwork of Laws,” in
Papineau, pp. 314-25.
Apr 30
May 2
May 4
“On Partial Existence of Existing and Nonexisting
Objects” (online).
Paper #2 due.
“
Review.
May 9
Final Exam: 10:15-12:15.