136-055 Approaches to the History of Science

Formerly available as 136-341. Students who gained credit for 136-341 prior to 1999 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually two second-year HPS subjects.

What is the history of science the history of? Different historians of science have answered this question in very different ways and have, as a result, presented diverse understandings of the historical roots of modern science and hence the nature of science itself. In this subject we analyse several 'classical' and more recent approaches to the science of the past, with the aim of becoming familiar with the main points at issue and developing a critical appreciation of current methodological debates. On completion of this subject students should understand the differences between various approaches to the history of science and understand the varying motives which encourage historians to see their subject from different perspectives.

Written work totalling 4000 words. Students must attend a minimum of 75% of classes.