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 136-031 Science, Philosophy and History

Note

Formerly available as 136-105. Students who have completed 136-105 Science Philosophy and History are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Availability

1st year

Credit Points

12.5

Coordinator

Dr Neil Thomason

Semester

2 (view timetable)

Contact

20 hours of tutorials and 14 hours of lectures

Subject Description

Students will deal with such vital philosophical issues as 'Can Science prove a theory is true?', 'What, if anything, is wrong with pseudo-science?' and historical and political issues as 'Is it ever reasonable to not believe what scientists say?', 'What should science's role in society be?' The readings are from the history, sociology and philosophy of science. Students completing this subject will better understand that Science is a remarkably complex and often beautiful result of a complex set of forces: conceptual and experimental but also economic, social and individual factors.

Assessment

Written work totalling 4000 words.

Prescribed Texts

A collection of readings.

  • Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.


Search : Index : Faculty of Arts : History and Philosophy of Science
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Status:                   Official 1999
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Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au