070129 VO Theory of Science and History (2016S)

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the wide-ranging problems and controversies in the philosophy of science and in particular in the logic of history. Although the course is mainly analytical its general approach is historical as well, and tries to provide an understanding of how problems and tentative solutions have developed in that field. Diligent students will learn to make sense of and evaluate the historical background, achievements, main criticisms and later developments of those controversies which implicitly cover much ground in temporary discussions. Problems discussed in this lecture are: Methods in the philosophy of science, types of explanations, problems of induction and demarcation, epistemological positions as solutions of the problems of induction and demarcation, performance and evaluation of scientific theories, theories of scientific progress, critical evaluation of different solutions of the problem of induction and the problem of demarcation; critical evaluation of different theories of scientific progress; types of explanations in history, historism and historicism, methodological individualism, methodological essentialism vs. methodological nominalism, rational explanations of human actions (decision logic), situational analysis, interpretations vs. scientific theories, inductive processes and the importance of generalisations, observational basis, objectivity and values, novelty, complexity, inaccurate forecasts, social dynamics, historical laws, prophecy in history.