Theory of Knowledge

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

1 familiarizing students with the most important concepts of cognition in historical terms, starting from the ancient concepts to the 21st century philosophy of science
2 students are able to discuss the most important problems and questions related to human cognition and knowledge and indicate the actuality of historical discussions on them
3 students are able to discuss the main models of scientific explanation proposed in the 20th and 21st centuries philosophy of science

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

Syllabus

1. What does the history and philosophy of science deal with.
2. The problem of the scientific method and the evolution of science.
3. The problem of demarcation.
4. Science and the criterion of truth.
5. Models of scientific explanation: a. deductive-nomological b. Salmon's theory c. van Fraassen's view, d. unificationist approach, e. mechanistic explanation, f. manipulative-counterfactual approach, g. functional explanation.

Reading list

Obligatory

1. Ladyman, J., Understanding philosophy of science, London-New York 2002.
2. Glennan S., The New Mechanical Philosophy, Oxford 2017.
3. Dilwoth C., The Metaphysics of Science. An Account of Modern Science in Terms of Principles, Laws and Theories, 2nd edition, Boston 2006.

Optional

1. Agazzi E., Varieties of Scientific Realism. Objectivity and Truth in Science, Springer 2017.
2. Wesley S., Kitcher P., Scientific Explanation, Minneapolis 1989.
3. Wesley S., Causality and Explanation, Oxford 1998.
4. Wesley S., Scientific Explanation and the Causal Structure of the World, Princeton-New Jersey 1984.