General information
| Course type | AMUPIE |
| Module title | Contemporary Philosophy of Science |
| Language | english |
| Module lecturer | Joanna Karolina Malinowska |
| Lecturer's email | jm119@amu.edu.pl |
| Lecturer position | Assistant professor |
| Faculty | Faculty of Philosophy |
| Semester | 2025/2026 (winter) |
| Duration | 30 |
| ECTS | 6 |
| USOS code | 000 |
Timetable
TIME:
Wednesday, 11:30-13:00; The first classes will take place on October 29th!
PLACE:
Kampus Ogrody, ul. Szamarzewskiego 89
building C (Philosophy), room 212
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: General Philosophy of Science
Week 03: Philosophy of Science in Practice
Week 04: Philosophy of Physics and Philosophy of Biology
Week 05: Philosophy of Medicine and Bioethics
Week 06: Philosophy of Neuroscience, Philosophy of Psychology
Week 07: Feminist Philosophy of Science
Week 08: Scientific Racism
Week 09: Robophilosopy and Roboethics
Week 10: Students' presentations and closing discussion
Week 11: 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.