EX-603 Theory of Science and Ethics (Høst 2020)
- Studiepoeng:
- 5
- Ansvarlig avdeling:
- Fakultet for teknologi og realfag
- Emneansvarlig:
- Hans Christian Garmann Johnsen
- Undervisningssemester:
- Høst
- Varighet:
- ½ år
Innholdsfortegnelse
Emnet er tilknyttet følgende studieprogram
Læringsutbytte
Innhold
Science in history
How science developed in its historical context; the impact of science and technology on culture in history and in the contemporary world; some cases from the history of science
Methods and problems of empirical science
Induction, hypothetico-deductive method (Whewell, Popper), Duhem-Quine holism, theory-dependence of observations, the role of language (Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis), paradigm change (Kuhn), and Feyerabend¿s criticism of scientific method; social and human sciences as compared to natural science; constructivism and positivism.
Phenomenology
First person perspective, intentionality, and phenomenological method; application to physics (Weyl); study of empathy (Stein); study of the body (Sartre and Merleau-Ponty); consciousness and brain research (Descartes and Dalmatio); realism and idealism
Ethics
1) The ideal of value-free science (Weber)
2) Justification of science: Aristotle vs. Bacon; the distinction between pure and applied science; contract research.
3) Ethical responsibility: basic concerns and values
a) within the research community
b) with respect to society and environment
c) with respect to affected individuals or parties
d) values and the acceptance of a scientific theory
e) risks and decisions
Technology
How does technology affect us as individuals and society; how does it affect our living environment and our interpretation of the outside world.