week 1
This first class is a general introduction to the field and to the kinds of questions that
philosophy of science does. It also gives you insights into 2 main problems in philosophy of
science: explanation and idealization.
learning goals
● become acquainted with philosophy of science and its difference from science
● distinguish philosophical questions from scientific questions
● become familiar with basic questions related to scientific explanation and idealization
video 1. introduction of philosophy of science
philosophy of science is concerned with what science is, how it works, and what it can tell
us. Some of the most fundamental questions concern very general features of science:
● What makes science different from non-science?
● How are scientific knowledge and understanding generated?
● How is science organized?
● What are the limits of science?
Major topics in philosophy of science are those that analyze and clarify the main
components of scientific investigation, including
● What is a scientific explanation?
● How are scientific concepts used and transformed?
● What is the role of idealization in science?
● What is the relationship between theory and data?
text 1. Kampourakis and Uller (2020) Philosophy of Science for Biologists. CUP: Cambridge
1.2 Science and the Philosophy of Science (page 2-4)
● to identify main aims of philosophy of science in contrast to science
○ philosophy of science complements scientific inquiry by providing critical
reflection, conceptual analysis, and a broader understanding of the nature
and practice of science, whereas science focuses on empirical investigation
and discovery within specific domains
This first class is a general introduction to the field and to the kinds of questions that
philosophy of science does. It also gives you insights into 2 main problems in philosophy of
science: explanation and idealization.
learning goals
● become acquainted with philosophy of science and its difference from science
● distinguish philosophical questions from scientific questions
● become familiar with basic questions related to scientific explanation and idealization
video 1. introduction of philosophy of science
philosophy of science is concerned with what science is, how it works, and what it can tell
us. Some of the most fundamental questions concern very general features of science:
● What makes science different from non-science?
● How are scientific knowledge and understanding generated?
● How is science organized?
● What are the limits of science?
Major topics in philosophy of science are those that analyze and clarify the main
components of scientific investigation, including
● What is a scientific explanation?
● How are scientific concepts used and transformed?
● What is the role of idealization in science?
● What is the relationship between theory and data?
text 1. Kampourakis and Uller (2020) Philosophy of Science for Biologists. CUP: Cambridge
1.2 Science and the Philosophy of Science (page 2-4)
● to identify main aims of philosophy of science in contrast to science
○ philosophy of science complements scientific inquiry by providing critical
reflection, conceptual analysis, and a broader understanding of the nature
and practice of science, whereas science focuses on empirical investigation
and discovery within specific domains
