Universität Wien

070293 VO Theory of Science and History (2014S)

Logic of Science - Logic of History

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 7 - Geschichte

Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 07.03. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 14.03. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 21.03. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 28.03. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 04.04. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 11.04. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 02.05. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 09.05. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 09.05. 18:00 - 21:00 Hörsaal 9 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Saturday 10.05. 09:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
  • Friday 16.05. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 23.05. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 30.05. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 06.06. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 13.06. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 20.06. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Friday 27.06. 11:30 - 13:00 (ehem. Hörsaal 48 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

methods in the philosophy of science; types of explanations, problems of induction and demarcation, epistemological positions as solutions of the problem of induction and demarcation; evaluation of performance of scientific theories; theories of scientific progress; critical evaluation of solutions of the problem of induction and demarcation; critical evaluation of theories of scientific progress; types of explanations in history; methodological individualism, methodological collectivism (inductivist essentialism); methodological essentialism, methodological nominalism, decision logic; situational analysis, interpretations vs theories; historism and historicism; inductive procedures and generalisations in history; observational basis; objectivity and values; novelty; complexity; inaccurate forcasts; social dynamics, historical laws, prophecy in history.

Assessment and permitted materials

Examinations will take place at meetings by the end of April 2014 (midtermtest) and by the end of June 2014 by one 90 minute invigilated examination paper. The examination paper contains about 12 questions, of which the candidates are required to answer three. The precise dates of the examinations will be given in due course. There also exists the possibility of writing an assessed essay (4000 words) in substitution of the endtest; however, permission to replace the invigilated endtest by assessed work will be granted only to students who follow this course satisfactorily to its conclusion. Special preparatory meetings for the midtermtest and the endtermtest will be offered as well.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the wide-ranging problems and controversies in the philosophy and logic of science and in particular in the logic of history. 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.

Examination topics

teaching consists in one unbroken 90-minute lecture. Students are required to contribute in a lively manner to discussions at all classes and to pass two tests, i.e. a midtermtest and an endtest. There also exists the possibility of writing an asssessed essay (4000 words) in substitution of the endtest.

Reading list

Principal Literature: Karl R. Popper, The Logic of Scientific Discovery, Hutchinson, London 1959 (first English edition; later editions are published by Routledge); any edition can be read. Karl R. Popper, The Poverty of Historicism, Routledge Kegan & Paul, London 1957 (first English edition; later editions are published by Routledge) any edition can be read.

David Miller, Critical Rationalism: A Restatement and Defence, Open Court, 1994, chaps 1,2,3. P. Gardiner (ed.), The Philosophy of History, Oxford UNiversity Press, Oxford 1974

Association in the course directory

Alle MA Geschichte: Aufbaumodul Geschichtswissenschaftliches Denken und Arbeiten; Wissenschaftstheorie, Theorien in der Geschichtswissenschaft (4 ECTS) | MATILDA: Historical Methods and Theories (10 ECTS) | MA HPS neu: M1.2 / M1.3

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:30