Philosophy of Science
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the basics of epistemology and general philosophy of science as well as with the essential traits of the most significant debates that have shaped it. An interdisciplinary approach will be applied and examples from various scientific disciplines and their history will be examined during classes.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
1. masters the basic concepts and fundamental themes characterising philosophy of science
2. knows the fundamental elements of science methodology.
3. can discern the various kinds of scientific reasoning and understand the validity of arguments brought by her/his own and others.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
1. can critically analyze a text in epistemology and philosophy of science
2. can analyze debates within the philosophy of science
3. can outline the state of the art in relation to a problem in this discipline
4. can apply the methodological tools acquired to solve theoretical and practical problems.
At the end of the course, the student
1. masters the basic concepts and fundamental themes characterising philosophy of science
2. knows the fundamental elements of science methodology.
3. can discern the various kinds of scientific reasoning and understand the validity of arguments brought by her/his own and others.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
1. can critically analyze a text in epistemology and philosophy of science
2. can analyze debates within the philosophy of science
3. can outline the state of the art in relation to a problem in this discipline
4. can apply the methodological tools acquired to solve theoretical and practical problems.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
During the ongoing covid emergency, the course syllabus will be maintained with the following changes made to enhance the effectiveness of the online version of the course, which was originally designed for face-to-face teaching.
ONLINE ENVIRONMENTS USED:
Ariel: https://lguzzardifs.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
Teams: code available on Ariel
TEACHING METHODS:
Classes will be held according to the following risk scenarios:
- maximum severity (red zone): classes will be held only remotely in synchronous mode (using MSTeams)
- high severity (orange zone): lessons will be held in mixed mode, partly in person and partly online. the face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom. Online lessons will be held synchronously (using MSTeams)
- severity (yellow zone): classes will be held according with the orange zone guidelines and, if conditions allow, the number of lessons on campus will be increased.
The calendar of in person lessons and updates will be published on the online course platform.
LEARNING ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA:
The exam consists in a written test + oral examination. The written test is held on Moodle SEB (Safe Exam Browser) and accessible through esamimoodle.unimi.it. This applies in every emergency situation, whether yellow, orange or red zone, in compliance with the guidelines provided by the University. The oral exams will be held on MSTeams. Updates about the exam sessions will be published on MSTeams as well.
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/didattica-presenza
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-tecnologici-e-online/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/esami/esami-distanza-faq-gli-student
ONLINE ENVIRONMENTS USED:
Ariel: https://lguzzardifs.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
Teams: code available on Ariel
TEACHING METHODS:
Classes will be held according to the following risk scenarios:
- maximum severity (red zone): classes will be held only remotely in synchronous mode (using MSTeams)
- high severity (orange zone): lessons will be held in mixed mode, partly in person and partly online. the face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom. Online lessons will be held synchronously (using MSTeams)
- severity (yellow zone): classes will be held according with the orange zone guidelines and, if conditions allow, the number of lessons on campus will be increased.
The calendar of in person lessons and updates will be published on the online course platform.
LEARNING ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA:
The exam consists in a written test + oral examination. The written test is held on Moodle SEB (Safe Exam Browser) and accessible through esamimoodle.unimi.it. This applies in every emergency situation, whether yellow, orange or red zone, in compliance with the guidelines provided by the University. The oral exams will be held on MSTeams. Updates about the exam sessions will be published on MSTeams as well.
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/didattica-presenza
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-tecnologici-e-online/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/esami/esami-distanza-faq-gli-student
Course syllabus
The course provides students with the basics of epistemology and the general philosophy of science as well as with the essential traits of their most significant debates. These issues are explored with reference to a handbook plus complementary materials and discussed in light of a classic in the philosophy of science: Paul k. Feyerabend's "Against Method" (6 CFU Syllabus, corresponding to the first 40 hours). The last part of the course (for the 9 CFU Syllabus, corresponding to the remaining 20 hours) deals with the notion of "form of life" in Wittgenstein and its development as a means for analyzing scientific practice.
Prerequisites for admission
Preliminary notions are not required.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures, live and on-line group activities, discussions. When appropriate, a multimedia, approach is employed (e.g. PowerPoint). If possible, compulsory as well as optional didactic materials (e.g. slides discussed during classes) are uploaded on the Ariel page of the course (https://lguzzardifs.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/).
Teaching Resources
No English literature is provided. For substitute select bibliography for non-Italian speakers, please contact the teacher.
Assessment methods and Criteria
PRELIMINARY WRITTEN + ORAL TEST
The exam consists of a preliminary written and an oral examination. The latter can be only taken by students who have passed the written test. No distinction is made between attending and non-attending students. Programs expire after 13 months since the end of classes.
The written test is structured in multiple choice questions (or MCQ) for Points 1-2 of the Bibliography and open questions on Point 3. It intends to ascertain knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual basics of the philosophy of science (MCQ) and to prove the ability to apply knowledge and understanding, make judgments and communicate them in written form (open questions). The written test is compulsory for all students; except for documented cases of health reasons, as well as for students taking the course for the second time ("iterations") and second-degree students, no dispensations are given (in such cases, the assessment will be done through an oral exam.)
The oral test intends to ascertain understanding and reflection abilities as well as communication skills and appropriateness of language. The oral test is compulsory for all students with the 9 CFU Syllabus and concerns Points 4-7 of the Bibliography. It is optional for students with the 6 CFU Syllabus and score at least 18 points in the written test; they will be tested orally on Points 1-3 of the Bibliography. (Those who pass the written test and opt for not having the oral exam should notify this to the instructor and will be graded according to the final score of the written test).
The written and the oral test are taken into account in grading in the following manner: 50 % for the MCQ; 40 % for the open questions; 10 % for the oral exam (optional for students with the 6CFU Syllabus).
The exam procedure is thoroughly explained during the first lecture and published on the teacher's Website: http://www.filosofia.unimi.it/guzzardi/index.php/2019/02/15/modalita-desame/.
The exam consists of a preliminary written and an oral examination. The latter can be only taken by students who have passed the written test. No distinction is made between attending and non-attending students. Programs expire after 13 months since the end of classes.
The written test is structured in multiple choice questions (or MCQ) for Points 1-2 of the Bibliography and open questions on Point 3. It intends to ascertain knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual basics of the philosophy of science (MCQ) and to prove the ability to apply knowledge and understanding, make judgments and communicate them in written form (open questions). The written test is compulsory for all students; except for documented cases of health reasons, as well as for students taking the course for the second time ("iterations") and second-degree students, no dispensations are given (in such cases, the assessment will be done through an oral exam.)
The oral test intends to ascertain understanding and reflection abilities as well as communication skills and appropriateness of language. The oral test is compulsory for all students with the 9 CFU Syllabus and concerns Points 4-7 of the Bibliography. It is optional for students with the 6 CFU Syllabus and score at least 18 points in the written test; they will be tested orally on Points 1-3 of the Bibliography. (Those who pass the written test and opt for not having the oral exam should notify this to the instructor and will be graded according to the final score of the written test).
The written and the oral test are taken into account in grading in the following manner: 50 % for the MCQ; 40 % for the open questions; 10 % for the oral exam (optional for students with the 6CFU Syllabus).
The exam procedure is thoroughly explained during the first lecture and published on the teacher's Website: http://www.filosofia.unimi.it/guzzardi/index.php/2019/02/15/modalita-desame/.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)