MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University

Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996

PHL3870

Science and society: knowledge and power

Richard Holton

8 points + 2 hours per week + Second semester + Clayton + Prerequisites: Completion of two first-year sequences in disciplines offered in BA (SocSc)

Synopsis The subject will examine some central philosophical theories concerning the nature and structure of examplanation, within both the natural sciences and the social sciences. The subject will also consider the role of ethics in social science and the ethics of social science. This will involve an assessment of the case for and the case against cultural relativism.

Assessment Written (6000 words): 100% + Optional replacement of one essay by a three-hour examination

Prescribed text

A collection of readings available from the department

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