PH305 Phil of Science and Nature

This course addresses philosophical questions at the foundation of the natural sciences such as, "What is nature?", "What is change?", and "What is science?" First, we will lead up to a discussion of evolution by studying actuality and potentiality, form and matter, substance and accident, cause and effect, time and motion, nature and chance, natural kinds and species. Then we will discuss the difference between science and non-science, the way scientific theories are confirmed, the role of trust in science, and the influence of science on society. This course provides the conceptual background for further philosophical studies of human nature, ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics. Offered every Spring.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

PH200W [minimum grade = D] or PO211 [minimum grade = D] or PO212 [minimum grade = D] or HO202 [minimum grade = D-] or PH200 [minimum grade = C] or HO206 [minimum grade = D-]