Philosophy of Science (3 HEC)
The course aims at a presentation of and introduction to central problems and methods in the philosophy of science, and at stimulating the reflections upon and critical discussion on ongoing research, research methods, and their prerequisites.
Goals:
- To develop an understanding of central concepts and ideas in philosophy of science.
- To be able to relate these concepts and ideas to problems in your own research project.
- To achieve a better grasp of the similarities and dissimilarities with respect to knowledge acquisition between different scientific disciplines.
- To be able to use common ideas and concepts from philosophy of science in written and oral presentations.
- To achieve a wish to discuss philosophy of science with other PhD students and researchers.
Contents:
The course consists of lectures, discussions, oral presentations, study of literature and the writing of a report and an essay.
Course organizer:
Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Magnus Löf, E-mail: Magnus.Lof@slu.se
Examinators:
Associate professor Johannes Persson, Department of Philosophy, Lund University. E-mail: Johannes.Persson@fil.lu.se, Professor Magnus Löf.
Language: English
Subjects:
History/Philosophy; Biology, Ecology, Forestry; Landscape Planning; Other Social Science; Soil Science; Technology
Prerequisites: Admitted as PhD or Licentiate student
Literature:
Chalmers, Alan F. (1999). What is this thing called science? Buckingham, Open University Press.
Little, Daniel. (1991). Varieties of social explanation: an introduction to the philosophy of social science. Boulder, Westview Press.
Examination:
Examination through oral presentations, written report on an exercise and a short critically reflecting essay. All elements must be passed to obtain 3 HEC.
Location: The course of lectures will take place at Alnarp.
Deadline to register for the course: 24 September
Detailed schedule (pdf)