Science, Reason and Reality

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Standard

An average of 8.5 hours each week.

None.

None.

Student enrolling in this subject must have completed 75 points at first year level.

Students who have completed 'Science, Reason and Reality' with the codes 136-033, 136333 672-316 or PHIL30004 are not permitted to enrol in this subject

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject addresses some of the central issues in the philosophy of science. It will raise questions such as: What is the difference between science and non-science? Is there a universal scientific method? Or do the methods employed by scientists vary historically? Is scientific theory change a rational process? Is science objective? Do scientific theories inform us of the truth about the world? Students who take this class will have knowledge of the major themes of recent and contemporary philosophical thinking about science. They will also have experience of the methods of critical analysis and argument employed in the philosophy of science and a background on which to base further study in the area.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• have knowledge of the major ideas and theories of recent and contemporary philosophy of science.
• have background in the philosophy of science on which to base further research and study in the area.
• have experience with methods of critical analysis and argument employed in the philosophy of science, leading to improved general reasoning and analytical skills.

Written work totalling 4000 words comprising a 1500-word essay 30% (due mid-semester) and a 2500-word essay 70% (due at the end of semester). This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day, after 5 working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Peter Godfrey-Smith, Theory and Reality, Univerity of Chicago Press, 2003.

A subject reader will also be available.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• 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.

This subject is available for 2nd year science credit for students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 degree only), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc). Students in the pre-2008 degree only can complete this subject for 3rd year science credit under the code PHIL30004