MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS
Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996
Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
(iii) Science, religion and witchcraft
Aubrey Townsend and John Bigelow (coordinator)
Synopsis Horrendous numbers of people, mainly women, have been executed
because some people were convinced that they had entered into contracts with
the devil. This happened, not when and where churches were strongest, but when
and where modern experimental sciences were progressing most rapidly. This
should prompt us to re-examine our preconceptions about truth, knowledge,
reality, rationality, faith and superstition. We will compare the reasoning of
scientists, witchhunters and Christian creationists during the rise of modern
science in Europe. This will motivate a re-examination of current orthodoxies
in the theory of knowledge.
Assessment Essay (1200 words): 25% + Examination: 25%
Prescribed texts
- A collection of readings available from the department
Recommended reading
- Chalmers A F What is this thing called science? UQP
- Russell B The problems of philosophy OUP
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