PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

L00930

Academic Year of enrolment:

2019

Year of supply:

2019/2020

Type of Course:

Related/Supplementary

Degree:

Course of 1st Cycle Degree in LINGUISTIC MEDIATION AND INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Disciplinary Sector:

LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

Location:

PESCARA

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

CASADIO Claudia

Cycle:

First semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

Prerequisites:

None

Objectives

The course is intended as an introduction to the fundamental arguments of contemporary Philosophy of Science. Basic notions of logic, reasoning and problem solving are presented, by considering relevant authors and theoretical models.
The course aims at allowing students to critically reflect on the proposed subjects (e.g. objectivity, truth, analyticity, realism, theoretical assumptions, empirical observations, innovation, models), acquiring the ability to connect them to open problems of contemporary science and technology, with particular reference to the fields of linguistics, translation and interpretation.

Contents

The course is devoted to subjects and authors of contemporary Philosophy of Science like Hempel, Popper, Kuhn, Feyerabend, connecting them to fundamental authors in history of philosophy (Aristotle, Bacon, Locke, Leibniz, Descartes, Kant, Husserl); particular attention is paid to logical positivism or logical empiricism, by considering authors like Frege, Russell, Carnap, Wittgenstein, and the debate about realism vs. antirealism.
Attention will be also given to contemporary linguistic theories (Skinner, Chomsky, Jackendoff) and to the problems of computation and artificial intelligence (AI).
Aim of the course is allowing the students to critically reflect on the proposed subjects, also by means of appropriate readings, acquiring the ability to connect them to open problems of contemporary science and technology.

Extended Syllabus

The course is devoted to subjects and authors of contemporary Philosophy of Science like Hempel, Popper, Kuhn, Feyerabend, connecting them to fundamental authors in history of philosophy (Aristotle, Bacon, Locke, Leibniz, Descartes, Kant, Husserl); particular attention is paid to logical positivism or logical empiricism, by considering authors like Frege, Russell, Carnap, Wittgenstein, and the relations to theoretical linguistics and cognitive science (Skinner, Chomsky, Jackendoff).
The following subjects will be particularly addressed: developments from logical empiricism to contemporary debate; verificationism vs. falsificationism; experience and scientific theorization; scientific revolution and progress; language of science and natural language; linguistic sciences and cognitive sciences.
Aim of the course is allowing the students to critically reflect on the proposed subjects, also by means of appropriate readings, acquiring the ability to connect them to open problems of contemporary science and technology.

Recommended Bibliography

Students are required to study a textbook and four essays chosen from a collected book or available at the university e-learning platform.
A) TEXTBOOK:
J. Ladyman, Filosofia della scienza. Un'introduzione, Carocci, Roma.
Alternatively:
S. Okasha, Il primo libro di filosofia della scienza, Einaudi, Torino
B) FOUR essays chosen from the book:
G. Boniolo et al. (a cura di), Filosofia della scienza. Raffaello Cortina, Milano.
(Two of which have to be chosen among the following authors: Peirce, Russell, Carnap, Hempel, Popper, Khun, Feyerabend).
Alternatively, students can choose FOUR papers from those presented during lessons and available at the University e-learning site (at least two of which must be written in English).

C) For further readings see:
C. CASADIO, Logica, Informazione, Automazione, Prime Vie Editore, Corfinio (AQ)
Slides, papers and informations are available at the e-learning page: https://elearning.unich.it/enrol/index.php?id=415

Teaching Methods

Lectures will consist in presentations supported by slides and on line or paper contents, divided into two parts: 1) General introduction to the course subject and the relevant theoretical concepts: textbook, slides and other material prepared by the teacher. 2) Monographic part, devoted to the developments of linguistic science: computation, artificial intelligence, cognition, evolution; readings: authors papers and other critical essays.
Slides and readings are available at the university e-learning site.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The final exam consists in two parts: a written proof and an oral presentation. The written proof is a multiple choice test (4 options) concerning the basic contents of the course. The oral part of the exam involves the discussion of the relevant papers and materials of the course. Students are invited to prepare a presentation organized with the teacher, concerning arguments such as: scientific theory, truth, meaning, interpretation, model, realism, mind, body, world relation, innatism, monism vs. dualism. Students are required to connect the mentioned subjects to the fields of linguistic theory, translation and interpretation.
The final evaluation is unique and is given on base 30. Grades 30 and 30 cum Laude are assigned for excellence results both on the theoretical and the critical side, including the way in which arguments are presented.
The exam is the same for all the students, independently from their attendance.

Contacts/More Information

teacher e-mail: claudia.casadio@unich.it
== e-learning site FDES:
https://elearning.unich.it/enrol/index.php?id=415

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

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