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2011/12 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHIL2402 Topics in Epistemology: Theory and Evidence

20 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Juha Saatsi
Email: j.t.saatsi@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2011/12

Pre-requisite qualifications

HPSC1200 How Science Works OR
PHIL1001 Introduction to Philosophy OR
PHIL1004 Introduction to History of Philosophy OR
PHIL1008 Introduction to Logic

This module is mutually exclusive with

HPSC2402Philosophy of Inductive Reasoning
HPSC2403Introduction to Philosophy of Inductive Reasoning

Module replaces

HPSC2402: Philosophy of Inductive Reasoning

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

In order to be eligible to enrol this module, students must have taken and passed ONE OR MORE of the following:HPSC1200 How Science WorksPHIL1001 Introduction to PhilosophyPHIL1004 Introduction to the History of PhilosophyPHIL1008 Introduction to LogicThis module concerns the relationship between a theory and its evidence. It covers various issues in the following central topics in the epistemology of science: observation and its relation to theory; old and new problems of induction; the nature of probability and statistical reasoning; scientific method.Theories and generalizations of empirical science are based on observations. This platitude gives rise to a wide range of philosophical questions such as: What exactly is an observation, and how does it relate to a theory? How does a set of observations confim one hypothesis over another? What exactly is problematic about inductive reasoning in science? What is the nature of probabilistic and statistical reasoning from evidence? How is probability to be understood? Is there a universal "method of science" to compare theories with evidence? What role does causal and explanatory reasoning play in assessing evidence?These are some of the questions and issues we shall tackle in this module.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to critically discuss a variety of issues concerning the relationship between a theory and its evidence.
Possible topics include:
1) inductive and casual argument;
2) confirmation theory and problems of induction;
3) the nature of probability and statistical reasoning;
4) the nature of the scientific method.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module a student will have knowledge of a range of philosophical issues concerning the relationship between theories and observations, induction, probability and statistical reasoning, the nature of scientific method and confirmation.


Syllabus

The module will cover a selection of issues central to epistemology and epistemology of science, drawn from topics such as the following:

a) Different kinds of inductive arguments and inductive fallacies; causal reasoning and Mill's methods

b) Hume's problem of induction and various responses to it; Goodman's new problem of induction and various responses to it

c) Probabilistic reasoning and interpretation of probability; elementary decision theory; fallacies in probabilistic and statistical reasoning; Bayesianism

d) Confirmation theory and paradoxes of confirmation; Hypothetico-deductive view and its problems; Duhem-Quine problem; Inference to the best explanation

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture161.0016.00
Seminar41.004.00
Private study hours180.00
Total Contact hours20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Private study comprises:
6 hours reading per lecture: 96 hours;
6 hours reading and preparing for tutorials: 24 hours;
Writing entries to an assessed group Wiki: 30 hours;
Exam revision: 30 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Feedback through the wiki assessment or the mid-semester essay.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
AssignmentVLE wiki OR 1,500 word essay mid semester50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 00 mins50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 22/05/2012

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