Description
This course surveys the philosophy of physics and of biology, concentrating on foundational and methodological issues. The guiding theme is ontology: what is the nature of the entities posited and investigated by physics and biology, such as fields and species? How are these entities defined and identified? In what senses are they real, and to what degree are they conventional? How are theoretical entities related to observation? The course combines specialist discussions with a comparative approach.
Timetable
see Timetables Philosophy
Method of instruction
Depending on the number of enrolments this course will be offered either as a full seminar or as a series of individual tutorial sessions.
Examination
To be announced
Required reading
Marc Lange, An Introduction to the Philosophy of Physics: Locality, Fields, Energy, and Mass. Oxford: Blackwell, 2002. ISBN 0631225013 (pbk).
Kim Sterelny and Paul E. Griffiths, Sex and Death: An Introduction to Philosophy of Biology. Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press, 1999. ISBN 0226773043 (pbk).
Admission requirements
Admission to this course is restricted to MA students in Philosophy of a Specific Discipline, specialisation Natural Science.
Information at
dr. J.W. McAllister ( j.w.mcallister@phil.leidenuniv.nl)
Remarks
Compulsory course for MA students in Philosophy of a Specific Discipline, specialisation Natural Science.
Registration
Please register for this course with the student administration: y.van.eijk@phil.leidenuniv.nl