Sumários

Module 2 - Seminar 2

29 Outubro 2025, 17:00 • Andrea Oldofredi

In this seminar we have studied Hempel's theory of structural identity along with the main objections raised against this idea. Hempel's replies have been introduced as well. Secondly, I explained in detail Hempel's Inductive-Statistical model for probabilistic explanations. Finally, I introduce the basic elements of Railton's model of unlikely events.


In the second part of the second lecture, we have first dealt with some of the objections to Hempel’s models of explanation, in particular those to the D-N model and the symmetry thesis. We have then discussed more in general the strength of these objections and Hempel’s reply to them. Finally, We have also briefly discussed Railton’s objections to Hempel's I-S model

Module 2 - 22 October 2025

22 Outubro 2025, 17:00 • Andrea Oldofredi

In this first lecture I introduced the Syntactic view of scientific theories, being it the philosophical background of Rudolf Carnap and Carl Hempel. Secondly, I explained Carnap's essay "The Values of Laws: Explanation and Prediction" providing the necessary information to understand the key passages of the paper. Finally, I concluded the first part fo the seminar by commenting on Hempel's paper "Two Basic Types of Scientific Explanation". Here we saw the deductive nomological model and the logical structure of scientific explanations.


In the second part of the seminar, we have first dealt with Logical Empiricism in general and some background on Rudolf Carnap and Carl Hempel. We have then moved to a discussion over Carnap’s The Value of Laws: Explanation and Prediction and Hempel’s Two Basic Types of Scientific Explanation, focusing on their models of explanation.

First Test

15 Outubro 2025, 17:00 • Maria Adriana Sequeira da Silva Graça

First module written test.

No class

8 Outubro 2025, 17:00 • Maria Adriana Sequeira da Silva Graça

No class.

Gettier Cases

1 Outubro 2025, 17:00 • Maria Adriana Sequeira da Silva Graça

Gettier cases: discussion of the 1963 paper by E. Gettier "Is Justified True Belief Knowledge?". Other kinds of cases and typical responses.