Philosophical Problems in Science B 3501-WISIP-PPSB
The tutorials are devoted to the issues dominating the contemporary philosophy of biology. First, a panorama of themes belonging to the discipline is outlined, and the status of biology as science is entertained, especially in the context of the debate revolving around the possibility of the reduction of all biological explanations to the explanations framed at the level of molecular biology. Next, biological definitions of life are discussed, and both the history and the main – philosophically interesting – theses of the theory of evolution are presented. A careful consideration is given to the concepts of gene, species, fitness, and adaptation as well as to the controversy over the units and levels of natural selection. The debate on the alleged tautological character of the claim that only the fittest will survive is scrutinized. The place of teleological language in biology and its adequate interpretation consistent with the theory of evolution are explored.
The image of human nature that emerges from biological theories and data is considered. Students familiarize themselves with biological explanations which leverage game theory to account for the evolution of altruistic behavior and motives. The results of the analysis are compared to the historical and contemporary philosophical concepts of human nature and social contract. The relevance of biological conclusions and solutions to the problems proper to normative ethics and metaethics is explored. Participants investigate evolutionary explanations of the origin and function of religion, and the views that different religions take on the theory of evolution. Students acquire a basic knowledge of the paradigm of evolutionary psychology and memetics, and of the attempts of the latter to model cultural evolution upon biological evolution.
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
Students:
- have a basic knowledge of the place and role of biology in relation to other natural sciences, and of its subject and methodological specificity
- know basic biological and philosophical terminology in English
- know and understand major concepts, arguments and trends in contemporary philosophy of biology
- know fundamental research methods and argumentative strategies proper to philosophy of biology
- know interpretation methods appropriate for texts devoted to philosophical problems in biology
Students:
- seek, analyze, evaluate, select, and use information from traditional and electronic sources
- read and interpret philosophical papers discussing biological issues
- understand oral presentations of philosophical ideas and arguments
- correctly use philosophical and biological terminology
- analyze philosophical arguments, identify their crucial assumptions and theses
- quote main theses of the investigated philosophical stances, appropriately to their importance
- select argumentative strategies, formulate – on a basic level – critical arguments, reply to criticism
Students:
- know the scope of their knowledge and skills, acknowledge the need for constant education and professional development
- are open to new ideas and ready to change their minds in light of available data and arguments
- organize their work effectively and critically assess their progress
Assessment criteria
See a relevant section below (for a given academic year)
Bibliography
See a relevant section below (for a given academic year)
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: