180097 LPS Paul Feyerabend-Against Method (2014W)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
German
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Su 14.09.2014 14:00 to Mo 29.09.2014 14:00
- Deregistration possible until Fr 31.10.2014 20:00
Details
max. 35 participants
Language: German
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
Wednesday
08.10.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
15.10.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
22.10.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
29.10.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
05.11.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Monday
10.11.
11:30 - 13:00
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
19.11.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
26.11.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
03.12.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
10.12.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
17.12.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
07.01.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
14.01.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
21.01.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Wednesday
28.01.
11:30 - 14:30
Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
The book "Against Method: Outline of an Anarchistic Theory of Knowledge" has become a classic in the history of philosophy of science. Among the bold theses by its author, Viennese-born philosopher Paul Feyerabend, is the claim that there is no single scientific method. Even more provocative is the claim that in a democratic society scientific knowledge should not be privileged among other kinds of knowledge; instead, science ought to be formally separated from the state as once happened with the Church!As one might imagine, the book was discussed and received quite controversially. An attentive reading of Against Method will provide students with an understanding of Feyerabends key questions. Some key ideas are rejected up to this day, while others became part of contemporary historically inclined philosophy of science. Against Method thus provides an excellent introduction to selected topics in the philosophy and history of science (HPS) and is a good fit for beginners in this field.
Assessment and permitted materials
Regular attendance (max. of 2 unexcused absences); regular and timely submission of summaries (two days before class); active participation in the discussion; delivery of a short introductory talk.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
The guided reading will bring out the main topics of Against Method, such as theoretical pluralism, incommensurability, theory-ladeness of observation, science and society, as well as historical case studies. These topics will be discussed at length.
Students will learn to reconstruct and briefly summarize the main arguments of Against Method, their formal structure as well as their pragmatic context. At the end of the course they should be able to assess the strength and weaknesses of Feyerabends theses and to apply these skills to other philosophical texts.
Students will learn to reconstruct and briefly summarize the main arguments of Against Method, their formal structure as well as their pragmatic context. At the end of the course they should be able to assess the strength and weaknesses of Feyerabends theses and to apply these skills to other philosophical texts.
Examination topics
Selected chapters of Against Method will be read in german translation. The sections will be read by the students on their own. Student will write a summary which will be submitted electronically and will provide a starting point for the discussion in class each week. Each student will give one short introductory overview for a given session.
Reading list
Paul Feyerabend: Wider den Methodenzwang: Skizze einer anarchistischen Erkenntnistheorie. Suhrkamp Verlag, Frankfurt am Main 1983. (Aktuelle Ausgabe)Further papers by Feyerabend as well as secondary literature will be included as needed and distributed electronically. Selected articles include:- Eric Oberheim: Feyerabends Philosophy. De Gruyter, Berlin 2007.
- John Preston: Feyerabend: Philosophy, Science and Society. Polity Press, Cambridge 1997.
- Friedrich Stadler & Kurt R. Fischer (Hrsg.): Paul Feyerabend. Ein Philosoph aus Wien (Veröffentlichungen des Instituts Wiener Kreis 14). Springer , Wien 2006.
- John Preston, Gonzalo Munévar & David Lamb (Hrsg.): The Worst Enemy of Science? Essays in memory of Paul Feyerabend. Oxford University Press, New York 2000.
- John Preston: Feyerabend: Philosophy, Science and Society. Polity Press, Cambridge 1997.
- Friedrich Stadler & Kurt R. Fischer (Hrsg.): Paul Feyerabend. Ein Philosoph aus Wien (Veröffentlichungen des Instituts Wiener Kreis 14). Springer , Wien 2006.
- John Preston, Gonzalo Munévar & David Lamb (Hrsg.): The Worst Enemy of Science? Essays in memory of Paul Feyerabend. Oxford University Press, New York 2000.
Association in the course directory
BA M 2.3, § 57.2.4
Last modified: Sa 08.07.2023 00:17