Many commonly suppose that since scientists simply wrest ‘the facts’ from nature, there is a division between science and the larger culture within which it is embedded. In contrast, academics have argued recently that since science is nothing but an expression of the dominant culture of the time there is no difference between science and politics/society/culture. This course analyzes both positions, arguing that the truth lies somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. By examining the ways in which scientific facts rely on conceptual and theoretical presuppositions and the ways in which conceptual questions depend on facts and presuppositions about facts, we will explore ways in which scientific theories and practices are connected to but not wholly determined by the cultural milieu. Our primary means of exploring these issues will be the questions that scientists and philosophers in Western culture have raised about the proper evaluation of scientific facts and theories. By the end of the course, you will possess a set of intellectual tools that will allow you to critically evaluate claims about the relations between science and its historical and philosophical context.

Texts:

1) J. C. Leon, Science and Philosophy in the West (Prentice Hall 1999)

2) S. Shapin and S. Shaffer, Leviathan and the Air Pump

-- hereafter referred to as LAP

3) P. Appleman (ed), Darwin

-- hereafter referred to as Darwin

4) Reading Packet available at CopyCat Print Shop, 32 Pleasant St. (586-1332)

Requirements:

Discussion – This is a small class. You are expected to do the reading before coming to class and to be prepared to talk about the issues in the reading. For each class period, come to class with at least one substantive question you would like answered. Discussion is worth 10% of your final grade.
Exams – There will be a mid-term essay exam on Oct. 23^rd and a final essay exam during the final examination period. The mid-term is worth 15% of your grade; the final is worth 25% of your grade.
Papers – There will be one short (5-7 page) paper and one long (8-12 page) paper due during the semester. The longer paper will include a separate bibliographic exercise, the nature of which will be explained later.

The short paper is due on Oct. 30^th. The long paper is due no later than Thursday, Dec. 20^th. Topics for the papers are to be chosen in consultation with me; I welcome any topic as long as it is directly concerned with the course material. Drafts are welcomed and even encouraged. The short paper is worth 20% of your final grade; the longer paper is worth 30% of your final grade.

Sept 6 Introduction

ANCIENT SCIENCE

11 Leon, Ch. 1

13 Leon, Ch. 2

THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION OF THE 16^TH AND 17^TH CENTURIES

18 Leon, Ch. 3; pp. 146-150 of Ch. 7; and pp. 115-122 of Ch. 5

20 Leon, Ch. 4

25 LAP, Chs. 2-3

27 LAP, Chs. 4-5

Oct 2 LAP, Chs. 6-7

HISTORIOGRAPHICAL INTERLUDE

4 LAP, Chs. 1 & 8; Latour (P)

9 NO CLASS – Autumn Recess

11 Boyle (P)

16 Hobbes (P) and Bentley (P)

18 Pinnick (P) and Jacob (P)

23 MID-TERM

25 NO CLASS

THE 18^TH AND 19^TH CENTURIES

30 Leon, Ch. 6 and Darwin, Part III (pp. 31-64)

Nov 1 Darwin, Origin, pp. 95-135

6 Darwin, Origin, pp. 135-174

8 Darwin, Descent, pp. 175-222

13 Darwin, Descent, pp. 222-254

REACTIONS TO DARWIN

Biological Issues

15 Scientific Opposition: Darwin, pp. 257-275

20 Scientific Support: Darwin, pp. 276-288

Methodological/Philosophical/Biological Issues

22 Hopkins (P) and Fawcett (P)

27 Mivart and Wright (P)

19^th and 20^th Century Science

29 Scientific Method in Evolution: Darwin, pp. 289-318

Dec 4 Religious reaction: Darwin, pp. 527-533, 549-557, 581-592

6 Modern views of method: Leon, Ch. 11

11 Ayer (P) and Carnap (P)

13 Cartwright (P) and Hacking (P)

Dec 20 Long paper due no later than 5 pm in the Philosophy Department office

PHI 224: PHILOSOPHY AND HISTORY OF SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT

ANCIENT SCIENCE

HISTORIOGRAPHICAL INTERLUDE

25 NO CLASS

REACTIONS TO DARWIN