EX-603 Theory of Science and Ethics
- Studiepoeng:
- 5
- Ansvarlig avdeling:
- Fakultet for teknologi og realfag
- Emneansvarlig:
- Hans Christian Garmann Johnsen
- Undervisningssemester:
- Vår, Høst
- Varighet:
- 1 semester
Emnet er tilknyttet følgende studieprogram
- Ph.d.-program i teknologi og realfag
Innhold
Science in history
How science developed in its historical context; the impact of science and technology on culture in history and in the contemporary world; some cases from the history of science
Methods and problems of empirical science
Induction, hypothetico-deductive method (Whewell, Popper), Duhem-Quine holism, theory-dependence of observations, the role of language (Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis), paradigm change (Kuhn), and Feyerabend¿s criticism of scientific method; social and human sciences as compared to natural science; constructivism and positivism.
Phenomenology
First person perspective, intentionality, and phenomenological method; application to physics (Weyl); study of empathy (Stein); study of the body (Sartre and Merleau-Ponty); consciousness and brain research (Descartes and Dalmatio); realism and idealism
Ethics
1) The ideal of value-free science (Weber)
2) Justification of science: Aristotle vs. Bacon; the distinction between pure and applied science; contract research.
3) Ethical responsibility: basic concerns and values
a) within the research community
b) with respect to society and environment
c) with respect to affected individuals or parties
d) values and the acceptance of a scientific theory
e) risks and decisions
Technology
How does technology affect us as individuals and society; how does it affect our living environment and our interpretation of the outside world.
Læringsutbytte
The aim of this course is to give an understanding of science: how to distinguish scientific knowledge from other kind of knowledge and belief, science in history and in contemporary culture, different kinds of science, problems of scientific research caused by e.g. insufficient evidence or interpretation problems, science and technology, and the ethics of scientific research. The teaching will include the discussion of some chosen historical and contemporary cases.
Eksamen
Individually written essay. Pass/Fail