Theory of Science and Scientific Method

The course intends to provide a philosophical perspective towards science and scientific based practices. The course focuses on epistemologies and philosophy of science, ethical questions and political philosophy. We discuss contesting perspectives on man and nature as well as questions about social action and moral within societies. Understanding, interpretation, critical reflection and argumentative communication is important in this course.

Knowledge
The student:
– has acquired knowledge in epistemologies and what signifies scientific knowledge.
- knows theories of hermeneutics and phenomenology – interpretation and construction of meaning.
- has acquired knowledge about humanity and nature and their relationship.
- knows different positions on normative as well as meta ethics, including arguments pro and contra different positions.
- knows about different ways of interpreting and understanding relationships between structure and premises for political power.

Skills
Student:
- is able to critically reflect on scientific, ethical and political arguments
- is able to rework and present epistemologies and ontologies in a personal manner and is able to relate social science as well as ethics to his/her own subject.

General competence:
The Student:
- is able to critically reflect upon his/her own discipline and the role of social science in general – is able to critically consider different perspectives on values and men
- and is able to review scientific work in a critical manner.

Lectures, individual studies and group work.

Part of the teaching may be given in English.