History and Philosophy of Sciences
A.Y. 2024/2025
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 study path, the graduate
1. masters the basic concepts and fundamental themes characterising philosophy of science
2. knows the fundamental elements of science methodology and can connect them with appropriate historical cases.
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 study path, the graduate
1. can critically analyze a text concerning past scientific problems as well as in epistemology and philosophy of science
2. can analyze debates within the philosophy of science with appropriate historical connections
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 study path, the graduate
1. masters the basic concepts and fundamental themes characterising philosophy of science
2. knows the fundamental elements of science methodology and can connect them with appropriate historical cases.
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 study path, the graduate
1. can critically analyze a text concerning past scientific problems as well as in epistemology and philosophy of science
2. can analyze debates within the philosophy of science with appropriate historical connections
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course discusses fundamental topics of epistemology and general philosophy of science through case studies from the history of diverse scientific disciplines. In the first part of the course we shall pay particular attention to the following themes: methodology of scientific enquiry, nature and role of conventions in science, mutual relationship between experimentation and theorization, the problem of demarcation between science, pseudoscience and other domains of human thinking, the notion of scientific change and scientific revolution, the structure of scientific explanation, social aspects of scientific enterprise, phenomenal consciousness at the interface between philosophy, neurobiology and the history of science and philosophy.
The second part of the course will focus on the history of scientific exploration, using visual sources and materials that will serve as a basis for reconstructing, together with the class group, the dynamics and pivotal concepts behind the discoveries of new species. Looking at voyage notebooks, specimen collections and illustrations, we will look at the figures of male and female explorers, discuss the epistemological challenges they faced (the concept of the individual type, modelling, etc.) as well as the ways in which newer knowledge began to circulate among the layman.
The second part of the course will focus on the history of scientific exploration, using visual sources and materials that will serve as a basis for reconstructing, together with the class group, the dynamics and pivotal concepts behind the discoveries of new species. Looking at voyage notebooks, specimen collections and illustrations, we will look at the figures of male and female explorers, discuss the epistemological challenges they faced (the concept of the individual type, modelling, etc.) as well as the ways in which newer knowledge began to circulate among the layman.
Prerequisites for admission
Specific preliminary notions are not required.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures, group activities, discussions, object and image-based learning. When appropriate, multimedia supports are utilized. Compulsory as well as optional didactic materials (e.g. slides discussed during classes) are uploaded on platform MyAriel/MS Teams channel of the course.
Teaching Resources
TESTI ESAME OBBLIGATORI per frequentanti e non frequentanti (Capitolo Pievani scaricabile da MyAriel)
Boniolo, Giovanni; Vidali, Paolo. Introduzione alla Filosofia della Scienza. Milano, Bruno Mondadori, 2003. --> capitolo 2; capitolo 3 (non il par. 3.4); del capitolo 4 solo il par. 4.3; capitolo 5 (non par. 5.5, 5.9. 5.10); capitolo 6 (non par. 6.6); capitolo 8.
Pievani, Telmo. Introduzione alla filosofia della Biologia. Bari, Laterza, 2005 --> capitolo 1
Borghini, Andrea; Casetta, Elena. Filosofia della Biologia. Roma, Carocci, 2013. --> capitoli 1-5; 9 e 10.
TESTI ESAME AGGIUNTIVI per chi non fa presentazione in classe
Secord, James A. (1981) "Nature's fancy: Charles Darwin and the breeding of pigeons." Isis 72(2), pp.163-186.
Iliffe, Rob. "Science and Voyages of Discovery." In The Cambridge History of Science, edited by Roy Porter, 618-46. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
TESTI ESAME AGGIUNTIVI PER NON FREQUENTANTI
Rossi, Paolo. La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa (qualsiasi edizione). Solo i capitoli 4, 12 e 13.
Iliffe, Rob. "Science and Voyages of Discovery." In The Cambridge History of Science, edited by Roy Porter, 618-46. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Slides on MyAriel.
Boniolo, Giovanni; Vidali, Paolo. Introduzione alla Filosofia della Scienza. Milano, Bruno Mondadori, 2003. --> capitolo 2; capitolo 3 (non il par. 3.4); del capitolo 4 solo il par. 4.3; capitolo 5 (non par. 5.5, 5.9. 5.10); capitolo 6 (non par. 6.6); capitolo 8.
Pievani, Telmo. Introduzione alla filosofia della Biologia. Bari, Laterza, 2005 --> capitolo 1
Borghini, Andrea; Casetta, Elena. Filosofia della Biologia. Roma, Carocci, 2013. --> capitoli 1-5; 9 e 10.
TESTI ESAME AGGIUNTIVI per chi non fa presentazione in classe
Secord, James A. (1981) "Nature's fancy: Charles Darwin and the breeding of pigeons." Isis 72(2), pp.163-186.
Iliffe, Rob. "Science and Voyages of Discovery." In The Cambridge History of Science, edited by Roy Porter, 618-46. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
TESTI ESAME AGGIUNTIVI PER NON FREQUENTANTI
Rossi, Paolo. La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa (qualsiasi edizione). Solo i capitoli 4, 12 e 13.
Iliffe, Rob. "Science and Voyages of Discovery." In The Cambridge History of Science, edited by Roy Porter, 618-46. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Slides on MyAriel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students are tested in a twofold way: 1) oral exam; 2) portfolio activity: team work based on visual or material sources, as agreed with the teachers.
Point 1 is intended to assess the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual bases of the philosophy of science as well as of the main turns in the history of the theory of evolution. A relevant issue for the assessment will be the ability to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and formulate judgements with incomplete or limited information. Point 2 is intended to assess understanding capacities of a scientific text as well as the ability to make judgment and apply knowledge. In both cases appropriateness of language are considered for grading.
Point 1 is intended to assess the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual bases of the philosophy of science as well as of the main turns in the history of the theory of evolution. A relevant issue for the assessment will be the ability to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and formulate judgements with incomplete or limited information. Point 2 is intended to assess understanding capacities of a scientific text as well as the ability to make judgment and apply knowledge. In both cases appropriateness of language are considered for grading.
FIS/08 - PHYSICS TEACHING AND HISTORY OF PHYSICS - University credits: 1
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 1
M-STO/05 - HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - University credits: 4
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 1
M-STO/05 - HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - University credits: 4
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Ampollini Ilaria, Bandi Claudio
Professor(s)