Philosophy of science and ethics
About the course
This course is recommended as part of the compulsory credits in philosophy of science and research ethics within the instruction component of the PhD programmes in natural and social sciences.
PhD students registered to PhD program at UiT: Apply for admission by registering for class in StudentWeb before 15. December
The course aims to introduce the participants to core issues in the philosophy and ethics of science. The course will convey different concepts and positions regarding the demarcation of science from non-science, the nature of the scientific method, theories of explanation and confirmation, the rationality and progress of theory change, modelling and inference under uncertainty, the role of science and technology in society, and the ethical responsibilities of scientists.
Admission requirements
Contact Ingjerd Gauslaa Nilsen (Ingjerd.nilsen@uit.no) at the BFE-faculty if you have any questions regarding registration to the course or other queries.
Objectives of the course
By the end of the course students will be expected to understand:
- the basic issues in the philosophy of science, such as the demarcation problem, the debate among competing accounts of the scientific method, the problem of induction, and the concepts of paradigms and scientific revolutions;
- the role and place of science and technology in a modern society;
- various ethical positions and the main ethical issues relating to science.
By the end of this course students will be expected to have gained the following skills:
- the ability to communicate key philosophical and ethical concepts;
- the ability to engage in contemporary debates about the nature and role of science;
- the ability to see their own research in a wider perspective, and to critically reflect upon the basic assumptions and challenges of their research projects.
Credit reduction
If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:
- BIO-8603 Philosophy of science and ethics 6 stp
- HEL-8010 Research Ethics and Theory of Science 3 stp
- SVF-8054 Theory of Science 7 stp
- SVF-8038 Research Ethics 3 stp
- HEL-8040 Theory of science, research ethics and research design 3 stp
Teaching methods
NB! You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance at lectures will be registered.
Language of instruction and examination
EnglishRecommended reading/syllabus
Du kan se og få tilgang til deler av pensum via Leganto.
Pensumliste for Vitenskapsteori og etikkRecommended reading/syllabus
The required reading consists of journal articles and book chapters, in total about 350-400 pages. Most of the literature will be made available on Canvas prior to the course start.
All students are advised to read one of the following books before the course starts:
- Samir Okasha (2016): Philosophy of Science: Very Short Introduction. Second Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Mel Thompson (2012): Understand Philosophy of Science. London: Holder Education.
- James Ladyman (2002): Understanding Philosphy of Science. London, New York: Routledge.
- Alex Rosenberg (2012): Philosophy of Science. Third Edition. New York, London: Routledge.
Application deadline
PhD students registered to PhD program at UiT: Apply for admission by registering for class in StudentWeb before 15. December
Assessment
Home exam: A written essay of 10 pages to be completed about one month after the course. Grade: pass or fail.
Coursework requirements: Two short exercises.
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