PHIL 205 - Science and the Interpretation of, Reality

Credits: 3
A study of the philosophical questions surrounding science as a field of knowledge and as a cultural institution. What is science, and how do we distinguish between science and non-science? Does science yield knowledge of reality, or does it merely generate plausible models whose significance comes from their practical applications (technology)? Is scientific knowledge superior to non-scientific knowledge, and does science therefore deserve the place of authority that it has in Western (and, increasingly, global) culture? These and related issues may be covered.

Prerequisite(s): sophomore standing or consent of the instructor.