HSS F379-6

SECOND SEMESTER 2023-2024
Course Handout Part II

Date: 09/01/24
In addition to Part-I (General Handout for all courses appended to the time table) this portion
gives further specific details regarding the course.
Course No. : HSS F379

Course Title : Introduction to Philosophy of Science
Instructor-in-Charge : Biswanath Dash, Room No. K 131, HSS
Scope and Objective of the Course: Throughout history, science has dramatically changed the
pace and mode of human life. It gained momentum during the modern era when different
branches of science emerged. In addition to systematizing knowledge, these derivative scientific
inquiries organized the study of worldly phenomena. It is, however, the mother of all subjects,
the philosophy that has historically shaped the sense of scientific inquiry with its arguments and
counter arguments. This course first examines the basics of philosophical perspectives on
scientific inquiry. With this course, students will be able to recognize the questions about science
and how they differ from scientific questions. It provides a clear understanding of what is
distinctive about science, i.e., how it differs from other human enterprises regarding knowledge,
methods, implications, and values. It enables students to understand how philosophy scrutinizes
scientific theories and explanations in their attempt to unveil the causality of phenomena. It also
aims to create an awareness among students about how science relates to philosophy and further
make sense of the philosophical issues in different branches of science.
The course introduces students various philosophical perspectives on science in general. It

mainly considers a few of the classic questions in the philosophy of science: What is it to call
something a science? How does scientific reasoning work? What is the nature of scientific
explanation? How do scientific theories change over time? Are scientific theories true? Is science
value-free? A detailed discussions on these will enable students to understand the concern of
philosophy of science, in general, and various thought provoking philosophical issues associated
with different branches of science, in specific. In the end, students will be knowledgeable about
the critical issues in the philosophy of science. They will find themselves comfortable discussing
complex ideas and able to analyze and construct philosophical arguments concerning science
Textbooks:
Okasha, Samir. 2002. Philosophy of Science-A Very Short Introduction. OUP. NY.
Reference books
Merrilee H. Salmon., et.al. 1999[1992]. Introduction to the Philosophy of Science. Hackett

Publishing Company. Indianapolis.
Course Plan:
Chapter in
Lecture
Learning objectives Topics to be covered the Text
No.
Book
Gain an overall Course Structure TB Chapter 1
1-2 perspective of the Introduction to Philosophy of Science
course
3-8 Learn about origin Greek Natural Philosophy: Major thinkers Reference
and evolution of and Aristotelianism paper
Natural Philosophy
9-14 Examine idea of TB Chapter 5
Copernican, Kepler, Galileo, Descartes,
scientific revolution Reference
and Newton
paper
15-17 Learn ancient India Reference
Vedic worldview and science
knowledge system paper
18-24 Engage critically with Scientific reasoning and scientific TB Chapter
science explanation 1-3, 4 and 6
Philosophical problems with science,
Logical positivism, under-determination
26-32 Exposure to the Empiricism and rationality: Kuhn, Popper, TB Chapter 4
philosophical debate Chomsky, Descartes etc.
over rationality Realism and anti-realism
33-40 To examine ethical Ethical questions concerning AI, Reference
questions relating to disruptive technologies papers
technology
Evaluation Scheme:
Duration Weightage Nature of
Component Date & Time
(Minutes) (%) Component
Assignment/Quiz 20 TBA Open Book
Mid semester
90 30 15/03 - 4.00 - 5.30PM Closed Book
Examination
Surprise Quiz TBA 15 TBA Closed Book
Comprehensive
180 35 17/05 AN Close Book
examination
Notices: Notices will be displayed on CMS.

Plagiarism: Cutting and pasting from websites is considered plagiarism. If you are not sure how
to write avoiding plagiarism, please ask the instructor. Plagiarism in assignment including from
Chat GPT will fetch zero.
Chamber consultation: Thursday 12-1 pm
Make-up Policy: Make-up for an evaluation component such as Mid Semester and CE will be
given only in genuine cases.
Academic Honesty and Integrity Policy: Academic honesty and integrity are to be maintained
by all the students throughout the semester and no type of academic dishonesty is acceptable.
Biswanath Dash
INSTRUCTOR-IN-CHARGE

HSS F379-6

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SECOND SEMESTER 2023-2024

Course Handout Part II

Course No. : HSS F379

The course introduces students various philosophical perspectives on science in general. It

Merrilee H. Salmon., et.al. 1999[1992]. Introduction to the Philosophy of Science. Hackett

Notices: Notices will be displayed on CMS.

Chamber consultation: Thursday 12-1 pm

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