136-034 Science, Life and Mind | |
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Note | Formerly available as 136-203/303. Students who have gained credit for 136-203 or 136-303 Science, Life and Mind are not eligible to enrol in this subject. Available at second and third year, except in science (second year only). For science third year, see 136-334 Science, Life and Mind (Science 3). |
Availability | 2nd and 3rd year |
Credit Points | 12.5 |
HECS Band | 1 |
Coordinator | Dr Neil Thomason |
Prerequisites | Usually 75 points of first year study across any discipline areas. |
Semester | 1 (view timetable) |
Contact | Between 10 and 12 weekly tutorials and between 20 and 24 lectures, normally two per week |
Subject Description | Science depends on people being able to rationally 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 subject 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? On successful completion of this subject students should be familiar with the major philosophical theories of rationality; with the psychological, sociological and biological evidence regarding human rationality and irrationality; and have developed a better understanding of the relationships between the philosophical, biological, and psychological positions. |
Assessment | Written work totalling 4000 words. |
Status: Official 2002 Last Modified: Tuesday May 07 22:11 SGML to HTML Conversion: Information Technology Services Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email Enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au