Alfred I. Tauber

       
     

Professor of Philosophy; Zoltan Kohn Professor of Medicine
Director, Center for Philosophy and History of Science

 
       
 

CAS PH 482/682
TOPICS IN MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY: NATURALISM AND CONSTRUCTIVISM


The realism/anti-realism debate in its contemporary expressions has focused on the claims of naturalism versus constructivism of various kinds. This philosophical discourse has spilled over into historical and sociological characterizations of scientific investigation and its truth claims. arising from these larger issues, the exploration of the values that guide science pose the questions, Is science value-free? and if not, What are the criteria for objectivity and neutrality? This course will explore these questions from both historical and philosophical perspectives, and students will pursue, through individual research papers, the claims an counter claims of critics and defenders of positivist science.

(Syllabus)

 

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