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Science: Good, Bad & Bogus: Philosophy of Science - HUMS1003
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Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Excluded: HPSC1200
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
  

Description

What is knowledge? What is truth? What is science? How does science differ from other belief systems and other forms of inquiry? Is ESP real? Why are astrology and 'creationism' widely considered to be pseudo-sciences? Are there other, equally valid forms of knowledge besides the scientific one?Is there a conflict between science and religion? Was the Church of the 17th Century wrong in condemning Galileo? Questions such as these will be raised in this course because they provide an interesting vehicle for raising some of the central problems concerning the nature of science. These problems include the nature of observation and evidence, theories and laws, explanation and prediction, among others.

In this course we will look at a number of major philosophical views concerning the nature of knowledge and justified belief, and the demarcation between scence and non-science - pseudoscience or 'metaphysics'.

A central consideration will be the nature of rational thought and the place of critical inquiry in life including broader implications of a scientific outlook in our lives, especially in the moral, political and educational spheres.

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.