Philosophy of science and technology

Science and technology are amazing phenomena, which have (had) an enormous impact on our lives, but, what exactly is so special about them? In this course, we analyse the various answers philosophers of science and technology have proposed.

In the first part, we look at the strategies scientists use to investigate the world, and contrast these strategies with non-scientific modes of thinking. We consider the intuition that what makes science special is that it's based on facts, and then examine how such facts are supposed to bear on scientific theory.

The second part addresses the question of scientific progress. We start with the commonsense view that contemporary scientific theories are better than earlier ones. Subsequently, we discuss the various ways in which this view has been further developed andcriticized.

In the third part, we turn to technology. As in part one, we look at strategies, but now those of engineers, pursued in the design of artefacts. We compare these strategies to the ones of scientists, and try to determine the sense in which the strategies of scientists and engineers interdepend.

Finally, the fourth part deals with technological progress. We consider the intuition that technological development is staged—from simple to more complex, from worse to better—and necessarily so. Next, we review several objections that have been leveled against this intuitive picture.

The course has three goals. At the end, students should have the ability:

• To analyze and to discuss major themes and rivaling views in the philosophy of science
• and technology
• To apply and assess main styles of scientific and technological reasoning
• To evaluate and construct, both orally and in writing, (philosophical) arguments

Je moet voldoen aan één van de onderstaande verzamelingen met eisen

• Verzameling 1
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) afgerond
• Verzameling 2
• Schakelprogramma afgerond

• A selection of compulsory readings.