PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

- knowledge of central issues in the contemporary philosophy of science: scientific rreasoning and explanation, realism/anti-realism debate, induction, scientific revolution

- strengthening of philosophy of science and logic-related linguistic and communication skills

- knowledge of fundamental notions of informal logic: argument, validity, ambiguities, fallacies, probabilistic and inductive reasoning

- strengthening of logical and argumentative abilities

- ability to assess the validity of different kinds of arguments

Lectures and presentations

The course will provide an overview of: 1) basic concepts and issues in the contemporary philosophy of science and of: 2) fundamental concepts of informal logic (argumentation theory).

More specifically, the course will cover the following topics:

Part A.

- reasoning in science

- scientific explanation

- realism/anti-realism debate

- revolution and change in science (and their value)

- ethical issues in science

Part B.

- types of reasoning

- arguments: structure

- arguments: validity

- analogical arguments

- ambiguities

- fallacies

- probabilistic and inductive reasoning

- causality and scientific reasoning 

Part A. (Philosophy of Science)

- A. Okasha, S. Il primo libro di filosofia della scienza, Einaudi, Torino, 2006. [Ch. I-VII (pp. 1-139)]

- B. Kuhn, T. La struttura delle rivoluzioni scientifiche, Einaudi, Torino, 2009 [Ch. I-XIII (pp. 1-208)]

Part B. (Logic)

- A. Paoli, F., Crespellani Porcella, C., Sergioli, G. Ragionare nel quotidiano. Argomentare, valutare informazioni, prendere decisioni, Mimesis, Milano-Udine, 2012 [Ch. 1-14, pp. 1-184]

- B. Copi, I. M., Cohen, C. Introduzione alla logica, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1999 [Part I, Ch. 1-3 (pp. 19-98); Part IV, Ch. 14-16 (pp. 487-602)]

Further materials (if any) will be distributed by the teacher during the course lectures.

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).