Problems and Controversies of the Contemporary Philosophy of Science 2400-OG-EN-PCCPS

While analyzing the most crucial problems and controversies of the contemporary philosophy of science and science and technology studies the course will concentrate on the following themes and problems:
- Relation between science and philosophy, why do we need philosophy in order to understand science in action.
- Who is the subject of science (who asks the cognitive questions, how and why?)
- Problematization and historical context of modern science basic ideas and practices (objectivity, autonomy, subject/object division, reason, experiment).
- Science and technology studies tradition and the contemporary applications.
- Modern scientific cognitive values, rationality and objectivity versus the dynamics of the contemporary technoscience in the context of critical approach.
- Elitism of the contemporary science: marginalized agents in science and technology via gender, race, social class, economic status, the place of living.
- The problem of commercialization of science and its entanglement in short-term economical and political aims (the case of genetics).

While analyzing the most crucial problems and controversies of the contemporary philosophy of science and science and technology studies the course will concentrate on the following themes and problems:
- Relation between science and philosophy, why do we need philosophy in order to understand science in action.
- Who is the subject of science (who asks the cognitive questions, how and why?)
- Problematization and historical context of modern science basic ideas and practices (objectivity, autonomy, subject/object division, reason, experiment).
- Science and technology studies tradition and the contemporary applications.
- Modern scientific cognitive values, rationality and objectivity versus the dynamics of the contemporary technoscience in the context of critical approach.
- Elitism of the contemporary science: marginalized agents in science and technology via gender, race, social class, economic status, the place of living.
- The problem of commercialization of science and its entanglement in short-term economical and political aims (the case of genetics).

Helen Longino, Valeus and Objectivity. In: Science as Social Knowledge: Values and Objectivity in Scientific Inquiry. Princeton: Princeton University Press 1990, 62-82.
Anne Fausto-Sterling. 2003. Science Matters. Culture Matters, Perspectives in Biology and Medicine 46 (1), 109-124.
Isabelle Stengers, Cosmopolitics: Civilizing Modern Practices? In: Another Science is Possible. A Manifesto For Slow Science, Cambridge: Polity Press 2018, 133-156.
John Law, ‘Notes on the Theory of the Actor Network: Ordering, Strategy and Heterogeneity‘, published by the Centre for Science Studies, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YN.
Janet A. Kourany. 2003. A Philosophy of Science for the Twenty-First Century. Philosophy of Science 70 (1), 1-14.
Linda McCabe, Edward McCabe, Genes as Commodities. In: DNA. Promise and Peril, Berkely: University of California Press 2008, 149-171.

Helen Longino, Valeus and Objectivity. In: Science as Social Knowledge: Values and Objectivity in Scientific Inquiry. Princeton: Princeton University Press 1990, 62-82.
Anne Fausto-Sterling. 2003. Science Matters. Culture Matters, Perspectives in Biology and Medicine 46 (1), 109-124.
Isabelle Stengers, Science and Values: Ho Can we slow down? In: Another Science is Possible. A Manifesto For Slow Science, Cambridge: Polity Press 2018, 133-156.
John Law, ‘Notes on the Theory of the Actor Network: Ordering, Strategy and Heterogeneity‘, published by the Centre for Science Studies, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YN.
Linda McCabe, Edward McCabe, Genes as Commodities. In: DNA. Promise and Peril, Berkely: University of California Press 2008, 149-171.

Students are highly encouraged to participate in all classes and take part in the discussions after reading the texts at home. We will analyze them carefully and within the group, for the debates are intended to clarify the content of texts, present the historical background, help to understand students’ own points of view.

Preparing short (2-3 pages) review of the chosen text from the philosophy of science domain will increase the final grade.

THE FIRST WARM-UP ORGANIZATIONAL CLASS WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE 21ST OF OCTOBER!

Students are highly encouraged to participate in all classes and take part in the discussions after reading the texts at home. We will analyze them carefully and within the group, for the debates are intended to clarify the content of texts, present the historical background, help to understand students’ own points of view.

Preparing short (2-3 pages) review of the chosen text from the philosophy of science domain will increase the final grade.

First class will take place on 5th October.