Office Hours: Mon and Wed 2-3; and by appointment

SCHEDULE OF READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, we will focus on several fundamental issues concerning the nature, practice, and limits of science. Topic will include: (1) the demarcation between science and pseudoscience; (2) the ontological status of theoretical entities; (3) the nature of scientific explanations, laws, and theories; (4)the confirmation and acceptance of theories; (5) reductionism; (6) the nature of scientific progress; (7) historicism and the structure of scientific revolutions; and (8) the aftermath of historicism: constructivism and the feminist critiques of science.

What to expect in class: This class is likely to be rather different from the classes most of you are used to. Though I will sometimes lecture on topics to get us started, much of the work in the class will be done by you either in discussions with the whole class or in small groups. The reason for this is simple: Philosophical problems are best understood by actively thinking about and grappling with them, rather than simply listening to someone lecture about them. And, as a result, one most effectively learns about philosophy by practicing it. Virtually all of the assignments in the class will therefore ask you to philosophize, i.e. to read difficult material, and then reason critically and carefully about the hard intellectual problems it raises.

Reading: You cannot do well in this course if you do not do the reading!!! Philosophical material is very difficult and often requires students to read selections at least twice. The first reading should be a general comprehensive reading that charts the general structure of the author's argument. The second reading should be done with attention to filling in the details of the author's position. Reading assignments should be completed before coming to class. Students are expected to exhibit a reflective understanding of the reading material in class discussions and in written work. Students should be in the habit of taking notes on the readings and on all class lectures and discussions (what other members of the class are saying is often as important as what the instructor is saying). Come to class with questions!!!

GRADES

1 Short Paper (6-8 pages) 25%

1 Longer Paper (12-15 pages) 35%

Take-Home Midterm 30%

Participation 10%

Evaluated by assessing several short writing assignments.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Martin Curd and J. A. Cover Philosophy of Science: The Central Issues. New York: W. W.

Norton and Co. 1998.

LATE WORK

I do not accept late work for any reason UNLESS prior arrangements have been made. If you need an extension on a due date, you must discuss this issue with the instructor BEFORE the work is due. I may, under some circumstances, allow the extension. No make-up exams will be given for any reason. The due dates for the exams are listed above. Make your plans accordingly.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Anyone caught plagiarizing on the essay, exams, or quizzes will be prosecuted to the full extent of the ISU policies on academic honesty. Plagiarism is "intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise." The Modern Language Association defines plagiarism as follows:

Repeating another's sentences as your own,
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own,
Paraphrasing someone else's argument as your own,
Presenting someone else's line of thinking in the development of a thesis as though it were your own.

You are responsible for learning how to cite material properly. If you know how to use MLA, APA, or Chicago style in your footnotes, then by all means use them. If you don't know how to cite written or Internet material, samples and instructions for citation can be found on the Milner Library web page. I would also be happy to provide instruction on proper citation during my office hours.

General Course Outline:

I. The Nature of Science as an Intellectual Enterprise

Readings selected from Chapter 1 of the text

II. Testing Scientific Theories

Readings selected from Chapter 4 of the text

III. Problems with Empiricism/Intro to Holism

Readings selected from Chapter 3 of the text

IV. Scientific Objectivity

Readings selected from Chapter 2 of the text.

V. Models of Scientific Explanation

Readings selected from Chapter 6 of the text.

VI. Scientific Realism

Readings selected from Chapter 9 of the text.