Course content

The course provides an introduction to philosophy and the history of science by tracing lines of development from the world picture of antiquity to discussions in our own time. The course is divided into three main blocks: 1. Antiquity; 2. The Scientific Revolution and more recent philosophy; 3. Modern theory of science. The Greek view of nature, science, art and handicraft are presented together with their understanding of morality, politics, rationality and argumentation. The next main theme is the Scientific Revolution and the modern world picture, which is related to newer ideas in epistemology and ethics. The rise of human science and Darwin’s evolutionary theory are presented. This is followed by a discussion of the basic concepts and traditions in contemporary philosophy and theory of science, together with some basic themes from more recent argumentation theory and ethical-political theory.

Learning outcome

To give a systematic and historical perspective on problems and theories from philosophy, theory of science and ethics and politics. These problems and theories are basic to an understanding of culture, socieity, science and technology.
To train students in argumentation, justification and scientific writing, as well as critical reflection and discussion of themes from the syllabus and topical themes.

Learning methods and activities

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. Three exercises are set, one for each of the three blocks mentioned above. Two of these must be submitted and approved in order to sit the exam. The lectures present the main outlines of the syllabus and provide a basic historical and systematic introduction to concepts and thinkers/positions. The seminars involve smaller group teaching, in which the students work on exercises under supervision. The exercises should be written in groups of 3-5 people, though can also be written in pairs or individually. Through discussion and writing students are trained in scientific and philosophical argumentation, in both oral and written form.

Compulsory assignments

• 2 approved obligatory exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

None.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

English literature that covers the topics within EXPH0001, Ex.phil. at NTNU.
(Notice that this is not yet an approved curriculum, but suggested reading only.)
A History of Western Thought: From Ancient Greece to the Twentieth Century by Gunnar Skirbekk, Nils Gilje Paperback - 624 pages (February 2001) Routledge.
• Introduction: pp. 1-4.
• Ch. 1: pp. 5-21
• Ch. 2: pp. 32-43
• Ch. 3: pp. 46-63.
• Ch. 4: pp. 66-86.
• Ch. 5: pp. 102-107.
• Ch. 6: pp. 113-121.
• Ch. 7: pp. 151-173.
• Ch. 9: pp. 190-196.
• Ch. 12: pp. 229-239.
• Ch. 14: pp. 263-269.
• Ch. 15: pp. 273-290.
• Ch. 16: pp. 293-303.
• Ch. 20: pp. 347-352.
• Ch. 25: pp. 412-415.
• Ch. 26: pp. 446-448.
• Ch. 27: pp. 463-466.
Theory of Science: A Short Introduction, by Jonathan Knowles (Tapir 2006): ch. 1-3, 5-6.

Credit reductions