030.010 (21S) Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students

Sommersemester 2021

Registration deadline has expired.

First course session
04.03.2021 17:00 - 18:30 ONLINE Virtual Classroom in Moodle Off Campus
... no further dates known

Overview

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be necessary to make changes to courses and examinations at short notice (e.g. cancellation of attendance-based courses and switching to online examinations).

For further information regarding teaching on campus, please visit: https://www.aau.at/en/corona.
Lecturer
Course title german Wissenschaftstheorie für das Doktoratsstudium
Type Seminar (continuous assessment course )
Course model Online course
Hours per Week 2.0
ECTS credits 4.0
Registrations 8 (15 max.)
Organisational unit
Language of instruction English
possible language(s) of the assessment English
Course begins on 04.03.2021
eLearning Go to Moodle course

Time and place

Please note that the currently displayed dates may be subject to change due to COVID-19 measures.
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Course Information

Course content

The course will be held in two parts: 

Several sessions in the first half of the semester.

(a) If in-person meetings are possible: several sessions in the second half of the semester, to be fixed at the last meeting of block (1). 

(b) Otherwise: to be announced at the last meeting of block (1).

Introduction to problems, concepts and foundations of the philosophy of science; critical discussion of selected controversies in the philosophy of science.

The first block will consist in lectures presenting an overview of modern philosophy of science. Starting from the contributions of the members of the Vienna Circe and their critique by Karl Popper, several approaches to characterize (good) science and the adjacent controversies in the philosophy of science will be explained and discussed. The relevance of the positions and proposals will be illustrated by examples of good and bad scientific practice. Depending on the previous knowledge of the participants, we will discuss their ideas about what is scientific research and confront them with different positions in the philosophy of science. At the end of this block, participants shall be in a position to read, understand and critically reflect on key texts in the philosophy of science. 

In the second block, in seminar-style some (not too specialized) texts on controversies in the philosophy of science will be presented by students and, if possible, discussed by all participants. The topics will be chosen according to the interests of the participating students, taking into account their previous work, the topic of their doctoral dissertation and their interests. Examples for such topics include, but are not restricted to: 

  • deduction und induction,
  • the 19th century „Dispute of Methods“ („Methodenstreit“) in German social science,
  • the value judgment controversy,
  • the Positivist Dispute, 
  • the Kuhn-Lakatos-Feyerabend-debate, 
  • realism – antirealism – constructivism, 
  • Marxism and its critique, 
  • Postmodernism and its overcoming.

Participants will be asked to give presentationsof texts to be agreed upon individually. A critical attitude towards the texts and the development of an independent position will be encouraged.  In particular, reflections about the questions “What does this mean for my own doctoral dissertation? How can I apply this?” will be solicited. Moreover, if the pandemic situation permits, one seminar unit will consist of an invited lectureby a philosopher of science within the academic lecture series of the Karl Popper Foundation Klagenfurt (which will be open to the interested public).  

Literature

Recommended Textbooks:

Samir Okasha, Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction. 2. Aufl., Oxford University Press: Oxford 2016.

Gillian Barker, Philipp Kitcher, Philosophy of Science: A New Introduction. Oxford University Press: Oxford 2013.

Peter Godfrey-Smith, Theory and Reality: an introduction to the philosophy of science. Chicago University Press: Chicago 2003.

Gerhard Schurz, Philosophy of Science: A Unified Approach. Routledge: New York 2014.

Reader (collection of important texts):

Martin Curd, J.A. Cover, Philosophy of Science: The Central Issues. W.W. Norton: New York 1998.

Comprehensive Survey:

Martin Curd, Stathis Psillos (eds.), The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science. 2nded., Routledge, New York 2014.

Texts for the students’ presentations will be selected after fixing the topics of the second block and provided in the semester apparatus or individually to participating students.

Course content

The course will be held in two parts: 

Several sessions in the first half of the semester.

(a) If in-person meetings are possible: several sessions in the second half of the semester, to be fixed at the last meeting of block (1). 

(b) Otherwise: to be announced at the last meeting of block (1).

Introduction to problems, concepts and foundations of the philosophy of science; critical discussion of selected controversies in the philosophy of science.

The first block will consist in lectures presenting an overview of modern philosophy of science. Starting from the contributions of the members of the Vienna Circe and their critique by Karl Popper, several approaches to characterize (good) science and the adjacent controversies in the philosophy of science will be explained and discussed. The relevance of the positions and proposals will be illustrated by examples of good and bad scientific practice. Depending on the previous knowledge of the participants, we will discuss their ideas about what is scientific research and confront them with different positions in the philosophy of science. At the end of this block, participants shall be in a position to read, understand and critically reflect on key texts in the philosophy of science. 

In the second block, in seminar-style some (not too specialized) texts on controversies in the philosophy of science will be presented by students and, if possible, discussed by all participants. The topics will be chosen according to the interests of the participating students, taking into account their previous work, the topic of their doctoral dissertation and their interests. Examples for such topics include, but are not restricted to: 

  • deduction und induction,
  • the 19th century „Dispute of Methods“ („Methodenstreit“) in German social science,
  • the value judgment controversy,
  • the Positivist Dispute, 
  • the Kuhn-Lakatos-Feyerabend-debate, 
  • realism – antirealism – constructivism, 
  • Marxism and its critique, 
  • Postmodernism and its overcoming. 

Participants will be asked to give presentationsof texts to be agreed upon individually. A critical attitude towards the texts and the development of an independent position will be encouraged.  In particular, reflections about the questions “What does this mean for my own doctoral dissertation? How can I apply this?” will be solicited. Moreover, if the pandemic situation permits, one seminar unit will consist of an invited lectureby a philosopher of science within the academic lecture series of the Karl Popper Foundation Klagenfurt (which will be open to the interested public).  

Literature

 Recommended Textbooks:

Samir Okasha, Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction. 2. Aufl., Oxford University Press: Oxford 2016 (elementary introduction).

Gillian Barker, Philipp Kitcher, Philosophy of Science: A New Introduction. Oxford University Press: Oxford 2013.

Peter Godfrey-Smith, Theory and Reality: an introduction to the philosophy of science. Chicago University Press: Chicago 2003 (the first 7 chapters can be downloaded from this site).

Gerhard Schurz, Philosophy of Science: A Unified Approach. Routledge: New York 2014 (more advanced).

Reader (collection of important texts):

Martin Curd, J.A. Cover, Philosophy of Science: The Central Issues. W.W. Norton: New York 1998.

Comprehensive Survey:

Martin Curd, Stathis Psillos (eds.), The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science. 2nd ed., Routledge, New York 2014.

Texts for the students’ presentations will be selected after fixing the topics of the second block and provided in the semester apparatus or individually to participating students.

Examination information

Im Fall von online durchgeführten Prüfungen sind die Standards zu beachten, die die technischen Geräte der Studierenden erfüllen müssen, um an diesen Prüfungen teilnehmen zu können.

Examination methodology

The oral presentation and its written elaboration in a seminar paper (essay) will count for 40 percent each; participation in the discussions will count for 20%. Questions on topics presented in the lecture part may be asked to speakers during their presentations. If meetings in class will not be possible due to the pandemic, these meetings will take place jointly or individually in online form. Attendance in all sessions is required.

Examination methodology

The oral presentation and its written elaboration in a seminar paper (essay) will count for 40 percent each; participation in the discussions will count for 20%. Questions on topics presented in the lecture part may be asked to speakers during their presentations. If meetings in class will not be possible due to the pandemic, these meetings will take place jointly or individually in online form. Attendance in all sessions is required.

Grading scheme

Grade / Grade grading scheme

Position in the curriculum

  • Thematic Doctoral Programme Modeling, Simulation and Optimization in Business and Economics (SKZ: ---, Version: 16W.2)
    • Subject: Modelling, Simulation, Optimization in Business and Economics (Compulsory subject)
      • Modelling, Simulation, Optimization in Business and Economics ( 0.0h XX / 0.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Natural Sciences (SKZ: 600, Version: 18W.1)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 0.0h XX / 40.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Natural Sciences (SKZ: 600, Version: 12W.4)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 20.0h XX / 40.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Natural Sciences (SKZ: 791, Version: 12W.4)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 20.0h XX / 40.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Social and Economic Sciences (SKZ: 300, Version: 18W.1)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 0.0h XX / 80.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Social and Economic Sciences (SKZ: 300, Version: 12W.4)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 40.0h XX / 80.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Social and Economic Sciences (SKZ: 784, Version: 12W.4)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 40.0h XX / 80.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Technical Sciences (SKZ: 700, Version: 18W.1)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 0.0h XX / 32.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Technical Sciences (SKZ: 700, Version: 12W.4)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 16.0h XX / 32.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Technical Sciences (SKZ: 786, Version: 12W.4)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 16.0h XX / 32.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Philosophy (SKZ: 500, Version: 18W.1)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 0.0h XX / 32.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Philosophy (SKZ: 500, Version: 12W.4)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 16.0h XX / 32.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Philosophy (SKZ: 792, Version: 12W.4)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 16.0h XX / 32.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral programme in Philosophy (SKZ: 792, Version: 09W.2)
    • Subject: Lehrveranstaltungen auf postgradualem Niveau (Compulsory subject)
      • Lehrveranstaltungen auf postgradualem Niveau ( 6.0h SE / 0.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral Programme in Law (SKZ: 200, Version: 18W.1)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 0.0h XX / 32.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Doctoral programme Doctoral Programme in Law (SKZ: 200, Version: 17W.1)
    • Subject: Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums (Compulsory subject)
      • Studienleistungen gem. § 3 Abs. 2a des Curriculums ( 16.0h XX / 32.0 ECTS)
        • 030.010 Philosophy of Science for Doctoral Students (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)

Equivalent courses for counting the examination attempts

This course is not assigned to a sequence of equivalent courses