The unit will introduce students to philosophical debates about the nature, aims, effects, and limitations of science. Our enquiry will focus on three core problems in the philosophy of science. The first is posed by the difficulty in identifying the nature of science and scientific explanation. The second problem consists in describing and evaluating the cognitive and cultural consequences of science. The third is to find decision principles to analyse and respond to the ethical challenges posed by science. To address these problems, students will critically review central topics and models in the philosophy of science.

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