Philosophy of Science (Level 7)

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 7
• Convenor: Robert Northcott

This module comes in two parts. First, we'll consider some issues of a specific scientific theory, namely evolutionary biology. In particular, after learning about the basics of the science, we'll look at a range of fascinating issues: Is there progress in evolution? What, if anything, is wrong with creationist or intelligent design theories? How can we test evolutionary hypotheses? Are we prisoners of our genes? And, what is the evolutionary role of female orgasm - and how can we tell?

Then we consider some more general issues in philosophy of science: Are scientific theories literally true or merely useful instruments for making predictions? What marks a distinctively scientific explanation? What distinguishes science from non-science? And how exactly does evidence confirm theories?

Indicative module content

• Philosophy and evolution
• General philosophy of science