PLS2607 - Philosophy Of Science Semesters 1 and 2 3/2022.

PLS2607 - Philosophy Of Science Semesters 1 and 2 3/2022. STUDY PLAN Please refer to the study programme for the semester for which you are registered, i.e. either for Semester 1 OR Semester 2, 2022. It is important to work out a study programme that suits your particular circumstances. Remember to organise your study programme in such a way that you have enough time to prepare for the examination. To adopt a sensible and realistic study plan, we provide you with an explicit indication of the notional study hours you need to spend on each topic of the study material. The notional study hours attached to this module are 120. Please keep in mind that notional study hours refer to the actual time you actively spend on the study material. You should spend at least 1½ hours per day to cover all the prescribed material in this module: 1.5 hours X 80 days = 120 notional hours. PLS2607/101/3/2022 11 You can, of course, also work out your own study programme. FOR ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO myUNISA. STUDY PROGRAMME FOR SEMESTER 1, 2022: Suggested schedule: Study Unit 1: Introduction to Philosophy of Science (1 week: 10 notional hours) Monday, 7 th February – Friday, 11th February 2022 Contents: • Defining “science” and “Philosophy of Science”. • Philosophy of Science’s historical development from Natural Philosophy. • The importance of a theory of science. • The nature and aims of Philosophy of Science. Outcomes: At the end of this study unit, you should be able to: • Clearly articulate the differences between social and natural science, and Philosophy of Science. • Explain the history of Philosophy of Science. • Identify the importance of a theory of science. • Explain the aims of the Philosophy of Science. Readings: The following readings are prescribed: • Study guide, Foreword, Aims, Activities & Assessment, and Study unit 1 (Introduction to Philosophy of Science). • Gale, G. 1979. “Introduction to Philosophy.”, pp. 5-24, in: Theory of Science: An Introduction to the History, Logic, and Philosophy of Science. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Book Company. (This text is available as an e-reserve.) • Study guide’s Glossary. Self-test: Answer the reflection questions at the end of Study unit 1 in the Study guide. 12 Study Unit 2: Objectivity and value-free science (1 week: 10 notional hours) Monday, 14th February – Monday, 18th February 2022 Contents: • The scientist as “objective”. • The process of scientific reasoning. • Is objectivity possible in science? • The role of values in the process of scientific theory development. Outcomes: At the end of this study unit, you should be able to: • Consider the problem of science presented as objective knowledge. • Critically establish if a scientist can be objective. • Ascertain the importance of subjective factors in knowledge creation. • Explain the importance of values in the practise of science. Readings: The following readings are prescribed: • Study guide, Study unit 2 (Objectivity and value-free science). • Nozick, R. 2001. “The objectivity and rationality of science.”, pp. 287-307, in: J. Fetzer (ed.). Science, Explanation and Rationality: Aspects of the Philosophy of Carl G. Hempel. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (This text is available as an e-reserve.) • Study guide’s Glossary. Self-test: Answer the reflection questions at the end of Study unit 2 in the Study guide.