12.5 1st year Dr Neil Thomason. Second semester Up to three hours of lectures, seminars or tutorials a week. Students completing this subject will come to a fuller understanding that Science is a remarkably complex and often beautiful result of a complex set of forces: conceptual considerations, empirical evidence, detailed critiques, as well as economic, social and individual factors. Students will better understand such vital philosophical issues as 'can Science prove a theory is true?' and 'what, if anything, is wrong with pseudo-science?' and historical and political issues as 'how closely do real scientists follow the 'scientific method?', 'is it ever reasonable to not believe what scientists say?', and 'what ought the role of science to be in society?'. Readings and discussions from the history, sociology and philosophy of science. One mini-paper per tutorial (totalling no more that 2,000 words) and one major end of semester essay of about 2,000 words. Hacking I Representing and Intervening. Poundstone W Labyrinths of Reason. A collection of readings 12.5 Dr N Thomason Second semester One 1 x hour of lecture and two 1 x hour tutorials per week The student will come to a fuller understanding that science is a remarkably complex and often beautiful result of a complex set of forces; conceptual considerations, empirical evidence, detailed critiques, as well as economic, social and individual factors. This class deals with such vital philosophical issues as "Can Science prove that a theory is true?" and "What, if anything, is wrong with pseudo-science?" It also deals with historical and political topics: "How closely do real scientists follow 'the scientific method?", "Is it ever reasonable to not believe what scientists say?, and "What ought the role of science be in society?" Readings and discussions from the history, sociology and philosophy of science. One mini-paper per tutorial and one major paper of at least 2,000 words at the end of the semester. Hacking I Representing and Intervening and Pound-stone W Labyrinths of Reason and A collection of readings