Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL3100: Knowledge and History: Theories of Scientific Change

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Module Aims

This module will introduce you to some major trends in twentieth-century epistemology. Rapid progress in the sciences has confronted epistemology with a fundamental problem: How can it accommodate its traditional task of describing conditions for acquiring true knowledge with the fact that modern science is progressing by continuously subverting knowledge once held to be true? The course will acquaint you with some prominent answers to this problem (positivism, sociology of knowledge, historical epistemology). It will present a perspective on epistemology that overcomes the existing divides between analytical and continental philosophy.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Possess a thorough knowledge of the main positions in twentieth-century epistemology with regard to the problem of induction, the nature of experiment, and the notion of scientific progress.
2. Critically evaluate these positions and to understand and analyse the arguments that have been raised for and against them
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Interpret, analyse, and discuss difficult philosophical texts.
4. Learn to deal with historical, cultural and disciplinary differences in philosophical style and develop an awareness of the dynamics of scientific knowledge production.
Personal and Key Skills5. Construct, express, present and discuss ideas and arguments, both of your own and of others, according to academic standards. This will include the ability to criticize received wisdom as well as the ability to avoid rash conclusions.