This is an introductory course into logic, the philosophy of science and the philosophy of the social sciences. It deals with questions concerning

* the aims of scientific inquiries,

* the differences between science and non-science, 

* the potential validity of reasoning based on empirical data in distinction to deductive reasoning, and

* the presuppositions of all empirical inquiries.

The questions we will pursue are 

- questions in the philosophy of science and the history of the philosophy of science,

- epistemological and 

- metaphysical or ontological questions.

In order to answer these questions we will look into the beginning of philosophical reasoning from Antiquity to the Middle Ages to the “Scientific Revolution”. What are early views of “demonstration” of empirical investigations (Aristotle, Francis Bacon)? We will then focus on the scepticism concerning the foundations of such methods (David Hume), and Immanuel Kant's dissolution of these doubts in his „Copernican Turn“. 

Toward the end of part A of this course we’ll have a look into the rise of the idea of “social sciences” in the 19th century  (J. St. Mill, William Whewell, Auguste Comte) and the development of a "new mathematical" logic by Gottlob Frege. Then we will focus on the most influential methodological views in the 20th century based on this "mathematical" logic: Logical Empiricism and Critical Rationalism. 

(Part A) The philosophy of science

The lecture part (= part A) of this course consists of an introduction and overview of the course structure, 4 lectures, and a session where we will look back at 2000 years of methodological thought. 

0. Introduction: 12nd March 2024

1. Scientific Reasoning in Antiquity: 19th March 2024

2. Scholasticism and the Scientific Revolution: 09th March 2024

3. Induction and the Presuppositions of all Empirical Observation: 16th April 2024

4. "Theories of Confirmation" and the development of a new, mathematical logic: 23th April 2024

5.  Overview and Repetition: 30th April 2024

The fifth session is Q&A session. There is NO attendance requirement for part A. The lectures take place in HS TC.0.10. The most important parts of the 4 lectures are available as audio/slides. 

Learning outcomes in general

(i) to develop an appreciation for the scientific enterprise as such, to become familiar with the history of methodological thinking,

(ii) to develop the deductive and analytical skills needed in scientific reasoning to enhance the ability to approach questions in the empirical sciences by raising questions about the adequate methods, and

(iii) to gain knowledge of the debates about the potential difference between natural and social sciences

The learning outcomes in particular of part (A) are

(i) to gain knowledge on the history of methodological thinking,

(ii) to construe premises and valid conclusions in deductive syllogistic arguments,

(iii) to be able to identify the specific character of inductive arguments,

(iv) to understand the limitations concerning the possibility of justifying the results of empirical inquiries, and

(v) to apply various methods of empirical reasoning in the light of these limitations

The learning outcomes in particular of part (B) are:  

(vi) to understand the difference in the ontological status of the social sciences, and

(vii) to apply the various methods and concepts that you have learned in part A .

The course  is divided into a lecture part (part A) and a “Übung” (part B).

For part A (lectures) of this course, there is NO attendance requirement.  

Between part A and part B the multiple choice exam will take place.

Part B  (Application) requires 100% attendance (sessions on the 14th May, 21th May, 28th May, 4th June)

Lecture part (A): (unsurprisingly) consits of a number of lectures. 

There is a lecture-manuscript as text in Canvas, slides and multiple choice and SC questions with automated feedback. To make sure that we all are "on board", there are 3 weekly assignments, and weekly MC/SC tests (don't worry there is really enough time for 15 questions — namely 60 minutes, you have almost 1 week time to choose when to do the 60 minutes MC/SC test), (plenty of) literature (primary and secondary) is made available in Canvas. 

Application part  (B): this is really the part for discussion.

There will be a very short talk (roughly 40 minutes) at the beginning of first three sessions. We will use the concepts and ideas that you have learned in Part A to analyze and critically discuss questions and/or problems in the philosophy of social science. You will have to read one text per session and you will be provided with key question to structure your reading. We will be using various discussion formats.  You are required to write your own paper in a group, final presentation and discussion of your paper at the end. 

Please study the requirements and the assessment information carefully

1. Final MC/SC-test: 30 questions (30 minutes): Max. points: 90.
2. Weekly assignments: 3 weekly assignments — 5 questions, max. 3 points for every question (depending on the sub-questions), 10 max points for every assignment. In total, for 5 x 3 assignments = 30 points. Points are given on an all or nothing principle. Please check the deadline in "moduls" in Canvas. Assignments which are turned in too late, are not accepted/will not be graded!
3. Weekly MC/SC tests: Maximum points for 4 MC/SC tests (à 5 points) are 20 points. Every MC/SC test has 15 questions. You have 30 minutes for answering a MC/SC test. You can access the MC/SC test 1x in 1 week. For more details see the deadline in "moduls" in Canvas.

Please understand that I cannot comment on every individual of the 260 assignments. In case of a negative assignment, please contact Mr. Mathias Madler or me by email; or alternatively consult me in my office hours (during part A). There will be no feeeback to your grading of part A after part A ended (after the 8th of May).

1. contribution in discussion sessions and during the final presentation session. (Part B)
2. Short paper (group assignments), Max: 60 points. 
3. There are  + points for answering questions of your colleagues in the “foren”: max 10 points (1 point for raising a relevant question, 2,5 points for answering a question of a colleague of yours). Questions, which are raised in „Foren“ after Part A ended, do not count. 

Points in total: 200

91 % - 100 % very good (1)
81 % - 91 % good (2)
81% - 69% satisfactory (3)
69% - 55% sufficient (4) 
55% - 0% fail (5)

There is the possibility to get a higher grade by adding points from your contribution to “foren”- discussions (e.g. answering questions of your colleagues in the “foren”: see above. So if you had in total 180 points and if you had answered 3 questions in the foren, you would receive a 1 as final grade.