Science: its nature and development
John Bigelow
8 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
*
Prerequisites: First-year sequence in philosophy or at least twelve points of
subjects from the Faculty of Science
Objectives Students successfully completing the subject will have acquired basic historical knowledge and understanding of, for instance, Hippocrates, Aristotle, Galen, Harvey, Darwin and Mendel; and basic philosophical knowledge and understanding of, for instance, Popper, Hempel and Kuhn; and they should have developed skills in bringing historical material to bear on philosophical issues of current concern (for instance, `is science sexist?').
Synopsis The subject will examine the nature of science and scientific change through an historical case study of the development of theories of reproduction and heredity. The subject will not presuppose any knowledge of modern cell theory or genetics. Attention will be given to the extent to which scientific change is driven by logical reasoning, by experimentation, by personal idiosyncrasies of individual scientists, and by social and political pressures in the historical context in which scientists work.
Assessment Two essays (2500-3500 words each): 40% each
* Examination
(1 hour): 20%
* Optional replacement of one essay by a 2-hour examination
Prescribed texts
Chalmers A What is this thing called science? UQP
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