The sciences are widely considered to be one of our best sources of knowledge about the world. In this course we will investigate the nature and status of scientific knowledge. We will study several different accounts of the methods used by scientists, including accounts proposed by Carnap, Popper, and Kuhn. We will also ask whether science describes reality. Does the real world actually contain electrons or genes, for example, or is a literal interpretation of our scientific theories unwarranted?
Taught by Doreen Fraser
Science and Technology in Society Teaching Group 