136-344 Current Issues in Phil of Science (Sci3)

Formerly available as 136-318. Students who have completed 136-318 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. Students cannot gain credit for both this subject and 136-238/338 before 1999 or 136-044 after 1998. Only available at science third year; for other levels, see 136-044 Current Issues in Philosophy of Science. This subject is based on 136-044 but involves additional work.

Usually two second-year HPS subjects.

This subject deals with current research in the history and/or philosophy of science. Its subject matter can range from philosophical critiques of evolutionary theory and medical history to the role of science in debates about the environment. In 2003 this subject will focus on the ideas of the natural, naturalism and naturalisation, as they occur in current philosophical thinking about science. Among the topics dealt with will be the question of whether animals have minds and whether the human mind is a result of evolution.

• have experience of thinking systematically about difficult intellectual problems of an abstract nature;

• have practice conducting research, speaking articulately, writing clearly and reading with attention to detail.

Written work totalling 6000 words comprising an essay of 1500 words 25% (due mid-semester), an essay of 2000 words 35% (due at the end of semester) and an essay of 2500 words 40% (due at the end of the examination period).