Science 240 Fall 1998

The Nature Of Scientific Thought

I. Aims And Methods Of Science (Prof. Hiskes)

Fri. 9/4 through Mon 9/21

2. Fri. 9/4 The Nature and Function of Theory. Kosso BN Chap. 1.
   Mon. 9/5 Labor Day. No classes.
3. Wed. 9/7 The Scientific Method and Its Logic. Kosso BN Chapt. 4. "Confirmation" pp. 69-78.
4. Fri. 9/11 Logical Limitations of the Scientific Method. Kosso BN Chapt. 4 pp. 78-86.
5. Mon. 9/14 The Underdetermination Problem and Nonempirical (Internal) Virtues I. Kosso BN Chapt 5 pp. 87-90 and Chapt. 2 pp. 27-47.
6. Wed. 9/16 The Underdetermination Problem and Nonempirical (Internal) Virtues II. Kosso BN Chapt 5 pp. 87-90 and Chapt. 2 pp. 27-47.
7. Fri. 9/18 Two Responses to the Underdetermination Problem: Realism vs. Empiricism/Instrumentalism or Einstein vs. Bohr. Kosso BN Chapt. 5 "Underdetermination" pp. 91-98. Kosso A&R "Introduction" pp. 1-4 (middle), Chapt. 1, Chapt. 2 pp. 18-25.
8. Mon. 9/21 Phil. Arguments Concerning Realism. Kosso A&R Chapt. 2 pp. 25-30. Kosso BN Chapt. 5 pp. 98-104.