This course provides an introduction to the history and philosophy of science. It presents the main philosophical problems and positions in the study of the natural sciences and examines key episodes in the history and philosophy of astronomy, physics, chemistry and biology.

In the fall semester, we will focus on the central systematic problems of philosophy of science such as the the demarcation of science, underdetermination of theories by empirical data, empirical evidence and confirmation of theories, Bayesian epistemology, scientific explanation and the role of laws of nature, reduction of theories, and scientific realism. We will encounter classical problems, positions, and authors in philosophy of science, such as logical empiricism, Popper, and Kuhn. In addition, we will study the scientific revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries.

In the spring semester, we will shift to the history and philosophy of specific natural sciences. In particular, the chemical and biological revolutions from the later 18th to the early 20th centuries will be covered, jointly with selected issues in the philosophy of chemistry and the philosophy of biology. We will also study the revolutions in physics in the early 20th century (relativity and quantum physics), as well as the philosophical issues arising in spacetime and quantum physics. If there is time and interest, we may also cover parts of the history and foundations of mathematics and the earth sciences.

This course can be taken either fully as an annual course, or just for one semester (in which case its value is 3.5 ECTS).

This course will be given in English.

The main textbook I will rely on is:

• Peter Godfrey-Smith (2021). Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science. University of Chicago Press.

The following are useful books in French:

• Barberousse, A., Kistler, M. et Ludwig, P.: La philosophie des sciences au XXe siècle. Flammarion 2000.
• Barberousse, A., Bonnay, D. et Cozic, M.: Précis de philosophie des sciences. Vuibert 2011.
• Esfeld, M.: Philosophie des sciences: Une introduction. Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes 2006.

Most texts are available on this course's moodle page at Moodle.

Slides (in PDF format) are available under the links in the schedule below.

Here is a video of 6 minutes which explains the problem of induction, even though without discussing the possibility of an a priori justification at the level of relations of ideas:

• I hope this helps with Sam Dresser: The problem of induction

Here is the study guide for the written exam: (only includes fall topics so far)

• Study guide

For this course, the following criteria will be applied for obtaining credit

• Presence and participation in the course: I expect participants to attend the course and to actively participate. Failure to do so may result in a grade deduction, or even in not passing the course at all.
• Written exam of 2 hours: There will be a written exam of 2 hours (anonymised). We will discuss the format of the exam in due course.

Here is the course schedule for the fall semester 2024, which is subject to change.

Date	Topic	Reading
19.09.	Organisation Introduction
26.09.	History of philosophy of science	Godfrey-Smith, ch. 1 *BKL ch. 1, pp. 9-13
03.10.	Science vs pseudoscience	Ruse, Creation-science is not science Laudan, Commentary Ruse, Response to the commentary *Hotez, Anti-science kills
10.10.	Arguments, deduction, induction	Godfrey-Smith, §§ 3.1-3.2, and glossary, pp. 337-348 (excerpts, as you see fit) *BKL ch. 2, pp. 32-42; *BKL pp. 269-297 (extraits)
17.10.	Logical empiricism	Godfrey-Smith, ch. 2 *Esfeld §§2.1-2.3
24.10.	Popper and falsificationism	Godfrey-Smith, ch. 4 *Esfeld §§2.4-2.5
31.10.	Scientific Revolution	Henry, The scientific revolution
07.11.	Catching up
14.11.	Kuhn and scientific revolutions	Godfrey-Smith, ch. 5 *Esfeld, ch. 5
21.11.	Holism and underdetermination	Godfrey-Smith, §§9.1-9.2 *Esfeld §§3.1-3.3
28.11.	Induction and confirmation	Godfrey-Smith, §§ 3.3-3.4 *BKL ch. 2, pp. 42-54
05.12.	Scientific explanation	Godfrey-Smith, §§11.1-11.2 *BKL, ch. 5, pp. 100-110
12.12.	Scientific realism	Godfrey-Smith, ch. 10 *Esfeld ch. 1
19.12.	Catching up

Remarks:

• Readings with an astérisk (*) are optional.
• Readings in English are in red, readings in French are in blue.
• Godfrey-Smith: Peter Godfrey-Smith (2021). Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science. University of Chicago Press.
• BKL: Barberousse, A., Kistler, M. et Ludwig, P.: La philosophie des sciences au XXe siècle. Flammarion 2000.