Course: Epistemology and Philosophy of Science

Master & PhD Degrees in Philosophy

7,5 / 12 ECTS

2025-2026 - 1^st Semester

Instructors: Adriana Silva Graça and Andrea Oldofredi

Language of instruction: English

 

Syllabus & References

 

Module 1: What is Knowledge? [Adriana Silva Graça]

In this module, the analysis of Knowledge will be dealt with. Topics such as the traditional analysis will be discussed as well as the standard responses and objections --known as internalist and externalist ones—to it. Finally, philosophical approaches as the virtue epistemology and “knowledge first” will be taken into consideration.

 

References:

 

A. J. Ayer (1956): “Knowing as Having the Right to be Sure” in The Problem of Knowledge, London: Macmillan.

 

E. Gettier (1963) “Is Justified True Belief Knowledge?” in  Analysis, Vol. 23, pp. 121-123.

 

Plato, Theaetetus.

 

R. Audi (2011), Epistemology. A Contemporary Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge. Routledge.

 

D. Pritchard (2018), What Is This Thing Called Knowledge? Routledge.

 

 

Module 2: Epistemology of Science [Andrea Oldofredi]

 

This module introduces the students to central debates in epistemology and philosophy of science, such as scientific progress, the distinction between science & pseudo-science as well as the problem of induction. We will discuss topics in formal epistemology concerning the confirmation of scientific theories and will introduce basic elements of Bayesian epistemology.  Given the popularity that anti-scientific claims unfortunately currently have - as e.g. the proliferation of a variety of fake news and/or conspiracy theories questioning the validity of contemporary science - such topics still have a central relevance in today’s philosophical discussions.

During this module, the students will study classic works of Popper, Carnap, Kuhn, as well as more recent literature that will be assigned weekly.

 

Module 3: Scientific Explanations [Andrea Oldofredi]

 

After having introduced some notions concerning epistemology of science, in this module we will focus on a classic issue in the philosophy of science. In particular, we will study the nature of scientific explanations, given their crucial importance for our scientific understanding of reality and their centrality in scientific practice. Starting from Carnap's reflections concerning the nature of scientific laws and the logic of explanation, the students will focus on Hempel’s nomological-deductive and statistical-inductive models as well as on present-day discussions concerning mathematical explanations and idealizations in science. As in the previous module, the students will be given classics readings in philosophy of science as well as recent literature.

 

References (modules 2 and 3):

 

Selected essays from Curd, M, Cover, J. A. and Pincock, C. (eds.), Philosophy of Science. The Central Issues. WW Norton & Co. Second Edition.

 

Selected Chapters from Salmon, Wesley C., Four Decades of Scientific Explanations, University of Pittsburgh Press.

 

Selected Chapters from Popper, K. Conjectures and Refutations, Routledge.

 

Selected Chapters from Kuhn, T. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, University of Chicago Press.

 

Selected Chapters from Carnap, R., Philosophical Foundations of Physics: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science, New York: Basic Books.

 

 

 

 

Grading & Assessment

 

Students are expected to write a final essay --around 3000 words for the Master degree and 6000 for the PhD degree-- in one of the modules (40% of the final grade) and to make one written test (in class) for each module (60% of the final grade). Depending on the instructors’ choice and on the number of students in class, oral presentations may be included.

 

Important note: the essays have to be planned in advance between each student and one of the instructors of the course.