Universität Wien
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070112 VO Logic of Science and Logic of History (2013S)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 7 - Geschichte

Details

max. 999 participants
Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 05.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 12.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 19.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 09.04. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 16.04. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 23.04. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 30.04. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 07.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 14.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 28.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 04.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 11.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 18.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9
  • Tuesday 25.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 31 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 9

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

methods in the philosophy of science; types of explanations, problems of induction and demarcation, epistemological positions as solutions of the problem of induction and demarcation; evaluation of performance of scientific theories; theories of scientific progress; critical evaluation of solutions of the problem of induction and demarcation; critical evaluation of theories of scientific progress; types of explanations in history; methodological individualism, methodological collectivism (inductivist essentialism); methodological essentialism, methodological nominalism, decision logic; situational analysis, interpretations vs theories; historism and historicism; inductive procedures and generalisations in history; observational basis; objectivity and values; novelty; complexity; inaccurate forcasts; social dynamics, historical laws, prophecy in history.

Assessment and permitted materials

Examinations will take place at meetings by the end of April 2013 (midtermtest) and by the end of June 2013 by one 90 minute invigilated examination paper. The examination paper contains about 12 questions, of which the candidates are required to answer three. The precise dates of the examinations will be given in due course. There also exists the possibility of writing an assessed essay (4000 words) in substitution of the endtest; however, permission to replace the invigilated endtest by assessed work will be granted only to students who follow this course satisfactorily to its conclusion. Special preparatory meetings for the midtermtest and the endtermtest will be offered as well.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the wide-ranging problems and controversies in the philosophy and logic of science and in particular in the logic of history. Diligent students will learn to make sense of and evaluate the historical background, achievements, main criticisms and later developments of those controversies which implicitly cover much ground in temporary discussions.

Examination topics

teaching consists in one unbroken 90-minute lecture. Students are required to contribute in a lively manner to discussions at all classes and to pass two tests, i.e. a midtermtest and an endtest. There also exists the possibility of writing an asssessed essay (4000 words) in substitution of the endtest.

Reading list

Principal Literature: Karl R. Popper, The Logic of Scientific Discovery, Hutchinson, London 1959 (first English edition; later editions are published by Routledge); any edition can be read. Karl R. Popper, The Poverty of Historicism, Routledge Kegan & Paul, London 1957 (first English edition; later editions are published by Routledge) any edition can be read.
David Miller, Critical Rationalism: A Restatement and Defence, Open Court, 1994, chaps 1,2,3. P. Gardiner (ed.), The Philosophy of History, Oxford UNiversity Press, Oxford 1974

Association in the course directory

Alle MA Geschichte: Aufbaumodul Geschichtswissenschaftliches Denken und Arbeiten (4 ECTS) | MA HPS: M 1.2 (4 ECTS)| EC Geschichte: VO Wissenschaftsgeschichte (5 ECTS) | MA Globalgeschichte und Global Studies: Aufbaumodul Geschichtswissenschaftliches Denken und Arbeiten (4 ECTS) | MATILDA: Historical Methods an Theories (10 ECTS)

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:30