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 136-334 Scientific Rationality (Science)

Note

Formerly available as 136-308. Students who have completed 136-308 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. Only available at Science level 3; for other levels see 136-034. Students cannot gain credit for both this unit and 136-203/303 before 1999 or 136-034 after 1998.

Availability

3rd year

Credit Points

12.5

Coordinator

Neil Thomason

Prerequisites

Normally two second year HPS subjects see Prerequisites

Semester

1 (view timetable)

Contact

Between 10 and 12 weekly tutorials and between 20 and 24 lectures, normally two per week

Subject Description

This subject is identical in all respects to 136-034, except for the assessment. Science depends on people being able rationally to investigate reality. Recent advances in cognitive psychology and evolutionary theory enable us to better understand how human rationality is possible and thus how science is possible. This class deals with such historical and philosophical questions as: How do scientists determine the standard for good reasoning? What are those standards? How accurate are their judgements? How can one tell when the scientific community is acting less than fully rationally?

Assessment

Written work which may comprise classpapers and essays totalling 6000 words.

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Status:                   Official 1999
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Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au