This introductory lecture is concerned with the philosophy of science and focuses on the methods, foundations and normative constraints of scientific research. It address several issues in general philosophy of science, including: demarcation; scientific reasoning and confirmation; scientific explanation; reduction; theories, models and simulations; theory-holism and underdetermination; scientific realism. It also addresses specific issues in "applied" philosophy of science, especially as they pertain to neuroscience, psychology and cognitive science.
The LSF-entry for this lecture course is here.
This lecture class counts toward the BA-PNK-Modules P10 (4CP, old "Satzung") or WT (2CP, new "Satzung"), and the MSc-PNK-Module PKN (2CP). It also fulfills the "Philosophy of Science" requirement for the MSc. Integrative Neuroscience.
There are two written exams: a midterm on 14.11.2018 and a final on 23.01.2019. The exams will be held in class and will consist of several short-answer questions to be answered in approximately 30 minutes. The exams are not cumulative, so the final exam only covers material introduced after the midterm. The grading scale for each exam will vary, depending on whether you expect to earn 2CP or 4CP. Passing both exams is necessary and sufficient for passing the course.
A make-up exam will be held on 03.20.2019. This exam is open only to eligible students, and will cover all course material.
Due to unfortunate scheduling conflicts, an unreasonable number of regular lecture meetings have to be cancelled. To compensate, two "doubleheader" sessions on 24.10.2018 and 12.12.2018 will run from 15:00 to 19:00.
| 10.10.2018 | Introduction Demarcation and the Scientific Method |
| 17.10.2018 | >Confirmation I: Reasoning |
| 24.10.2018 | Confirmation II: Evidence |
| 24.10.2018 17-19 | Theories, Models & Simulations |
| 31.10.2018 | No class (Holiday) |
| 07.11.2018 | Laws and Causality |
| 14.11.2018 | Midterm Exam |
| 21.11.2018 | No class! |
| 28.11.2018 | No class! |
| 05.12.2018 | Explanation I: Why? |
| 12.12.2018 | Explanation II: How? |
| 12.12.2018 17-19 | Reduction |
| 19.12.2018 | No class! |
| 09.01.2019 | Scientific Realism |
| 16.01.2019 | Ethics in Science |
| 23.01.2019 | Final Exam Why does Philosophy of Science Matter? |