Philosophy and Theory of Science for doctoral students
The course provides an introduction to the central concepts and traditions of the philosophy of science and the theory of science. It is based on different demarcations of science in the light of their contexts of the history of ideas, from the traditional philosophical questions of the nature of knowledge to today’s science studies, where the object of study is the social, cultural, economic, political and practical conditions of science. One theme is the theory of science of natural science, in the form of logical empiricism, critical rationalism and paradigm theory, as well as later orientations of post-positivism and the sociology of science. Another theme is the hermeneutic and phenomenological traditions of the human- and health sciences. The course also considers various forms of critique of science from the Frankfurt School over poststructuralism and feminism up to posthumanism, and thus offers a space of reflection where the doctoral students are able to evaluate the possibilities and limitations of their own research field.
The course is given at 50% study pace, w. 40–46 in the autumn semester and w. 14–20 in the spring semester. You can find the outline of the schedule in the menu.
The course will not be given during the autumn of 2024, and continues as planned from spring 2025.