Philosophy of Science

The natural sciences aim at discovering and explaining truths about the world. This enterprise gives rise to various philosophical questions, among them are: What distinguishes science from other forms of enquiry? Is there anything unique about the scientific method—in both its conceptual and experimental elements—that enables the discovery of different aspects of reality? Is science a progressive enterprise advancing towards uncovering truths about the world, or does it consist of one theory arbitrarily replacing its predecessor, without ever coming closer to a final truth? Is there such a thing as scientific objectivity, or are scientists trapped in their preexisting theoretical assumptions? What are the criteria for a scientific explanation? What are scientific laws? In discussing these questions, we will engage with some of the most influential views in the philosophy of science, and critically examine their arguments in light of important case-studies from the history of science. (B) (II)