Philosophy

Science and Reason

Module code: V7080
Level 4
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar, Workshop
Assessment modes: Coursework

This module provides a grounding in contemporary analytic philosophy.

You will study the views of major philosophical figures such as Gottlob Frege, Bertrand Russell, A.J.Ayer, Rudolf Carnap, W.V.O. Quine, Hilary Putnam and Tyler Burge.

Their ideas and theories address the following kinds of questions:

• how we can talk and think about the world?
• how can science provide knowledge of the unobservable world?
• what role does reason play in our understanding of the world?

The module will equip you with a wide range of the fundamental concepts required to understand contemporary analytic philosophy. You will gain the skills necessary to tackle material that you will encounter in other modules over the course of your degree.

Module learning outcomes

• Describe the philosophical issues raised by the special status of science which are considered in the course
• Present the familiar arguments which underlie problems raised by the special status of science
• Evaluate the arguments which underlie the problems raised by the special status of science
• Argue for the student's own view of the philosophical issues raised in the module.