Contemporary Philosophy of Science

Timetable

Classes will be held only on specific days and will last 4 academic hours (from 3:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.). The course ends on December 16th!

Class dates:
October 7, 14, and 28
November 4
December 2, 9, and 16 (LAST MEETING!)

PLACE:

Kampus Ogrody, ul. Szamarzewskiego 89

building D, room 105

Google maps:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/g6ak3mM1GZt8f6qg7

Module aim (aims)

After the module, a student:

• is familiarized with the main aims, objects and methods of Philosophy of Science
• learn how to formulate philosophical arguments and questions
• possesses the ability to understand, compare and analyse philosophical literature
• improved their intercultural communication skills

In particular, the following topics will be elaborated:

- Philosophy of Biology, Philosophy of Physics

- Philosophy of Neuroscience, Philosophy of Psychology and Psychiatry

- Philosophy of Medicine and Bioethics

- Feminist Philosophy of Science, Scientific Racism and AI Fairness

- Robophilosophy and Roboethics

The class provides an introduction to selected discussions in contemporary Philosophy of Science as well as to related ethical issues. It is designed to be of interest not only to those studying Philosophy, but also, among others, to students of Biology, Physics, Genetics, Computer Science or Social Sciences.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

No prior philosophical knowledge is required.

Syllabus

Week 01: Organisational issues: material overview and final requirements. Introduction to philosophical vocabulary.

Week 02: Introduction to modern philosophy of science. Philosophy in practice - what does philosophy deal with today?

Week 03: Philosophy of Neuroscience, Philosophy of Psychology

Week 04: Philosophy of Biology, Philosophy of Medicine and Bioethics

Week 05: Feminist Philosophy of Science, Scientific Racism and AI Fairness

Week 06: Robophilosopy and Roboethics

Week 07: Students presentations and closing discussion     

Reading list

Adamo, S. A. (2016). Do insects feel pain? A question at the intersection of animal behaviour, philosophy and robotics. Animal Behaviour, 118, 75-79.

Anjum, R. L., Copeland, S., & Rocca, E. (2020). Rethinking causality, complexity and evidence for the unique patient: a causehealth resource for healthcare professionals and the clinical encounter (p. 241). Springer Nature.

Crasnow, S., & Intemann, K. (Eds.). (2020). The routledge handbook of feminist philosophy of science. Routledge.

Humphreys, P. (Ed.). (2016). The Oxford handbook of philosophy of science. Oxford University Press.

Malinowska, J. K. (2021). What does it mean to empathise with a robot?. Minds and Machines, 31(3), 361-376.

Malinowska, J. K., & Żuradzki, T. (2023). Towards the multileveled and processual conceptualisation of racialised individuals in biomedical research. Synthese, 201(1), 1-36.

Nowak, P. G., & Stencel, A. (2022). How many ways can you die? Multiple biological deaths as a consequence of the multiple concepts of an organism. Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics, 1-28.

Pradeu, T., Lemoine, M., Khelfaoui, M., & Gingras, Y. (2021). Philosophy in Science: Can philosophers of science permeate through science and produce scientific knowledge?.

Stegenga, J. (2018). Care and cure: An introduction to philosophy of medicine. University of Chicago Press.