FIL100 Epistemology and Philosophy of Science
- ECTS Credits:
- 10
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Humanities and Education
- Course Leaders:
-
- Sara Kasin Vikesdal
- Reier Helle
- Lecture Semester:
- Autumn
- Teaching language:
- Norwegian
- Duration:
- 1 term
The course is connected to the following study programs
- Bachelor's Programme in Applied Philosophy
- Philosophy, One-year Programme
Teaching language
NorwegianCourse contents
The course gives an introduction to epistemology and the philosophy of science. Epistemology is the study of what knowledge is, and related concepts like understanding and justification. Central questions are: What does it mean to have knowledge about something? What can we and what can we not acquire knowledge about? Can we acquire knowledge about anything at all?
The philosophy of science is a study of what science is, and related concepts like scientific knowledge, scientific justification, scientific methods and realism versus anti-realism and instrumentalism. Central questions are: What does it mean to practice science? What does it imply to have scientific knowledge about something? What can we and what can we not acquire scientific knowledge about?
Learning outcomes
Upon course completion students will:
Knowledge
-
Have broad knowledge of epistemology and the philosophy of science
-
Have knowledge of problems related to knowledge and justification
-
Have knowledge of scepticism
-
Have knowledge about the characteristics of science and scientific methods
Skills
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Be able to reflect on the concepts knowledge, justification, science and scientific method
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Be able to evaluate if something is science or not
General competence
-
Be able to disseminate problems related to the concepts knowledge, justification and scepticism
-
Be able to apply the acquired knowledge to new problems
Teaching methods
Lectures and group discussions. Estimated workload is ca. 270 hours. Lectures start-up after examination in FIL104.
Evaluation
The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.
Offered as Single Standing Module
Yes
Assessment methods and criteria
4-hour written examination. Graded assessment.