What I'm really interested in is whether God could
have made the world in a different way, that is;
whether the necessity of Logical Simplicity leaves
any freedom at all.
Albert Einstein



(remark to his assistant quoted in "Mainsprings of Scientific Discovery" by Gerald Horton in The Nature of Scientific Discovery, Owen Gingereich, editor)



Philosophical Foundations of Science
Phi 123
Wednesday Evenings
7:10 -9:50 pm
CRN 22452


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This semester we will look at many aspects of Science as it is related to Philosophy, in particular we will examine how Science has changed over time, look at some current debates (such as creationism versus the theory of evolution, questions concerning the mind and consciousness and artificial intelligence), examine the nature of time, and delve informally to the quantum world, and much more, all focusing on the underlying Metaphysical and Epistemological assumptions of Science with an aim at gaining some insight to the question,  Why has Science  been so successful?

Assignments will include short essays on selected subjects and/or group projects/presentations. The class will be informal, with abundant discussion. The last class is always a pizza party and movie which explores one of the many themes we have studied in class.
I look forward to seeing you there!