Reader-in-Charge; Miss D. DYASON, M.Se.
This discipline is concerned with the critical study of scientific concepts and theories. Sometimes the problems will be mainly historical, to consider the character and development of scientific ideas; sometimes the problems will be mainly logical, to discuss the presuppositions of science and the relation of experiment to theory.
Often problems will straddle the two fields. The emphasis varies in the different subjects taught, depending on what is considered most appropriate to the class of students concerned.
ORDINARY DEGREE
( Details for the honours degree are set out at the end of this section.) GROUPING
A History and Philosophy of Scieńce subject may be counted as either a Group 4 or Group 3 subject, but if a student takes more than one H.P.S. subject in his course, they must all be considered as in the same group ( i.e. a sub-major or major in H.P.S. could not satisfy the requirements for both Group $ and Group 4 except for combinations with Logic or Theory of Statistics.
There are four subjects available to students taking a pass Arts course and three of these may be taken as a major. History and Philosophy of Science I, II and III are designed specificallу for Arts students. In these subjects the emphasis is largely historical, although logical criticism of the theories dealt with will be an important component. History and Philosophy of Science ( Science course) is designed primarily for В.Sc. students but is suitable as the third stage of a major for Arts students whose main interests are philosophical. Arts students intending to take H.P.S.
( Science course) are advised to consult the department.
Majors:
1. H.P.S. I, H.P.S. II, H.P.S. III or H.P.S. (Science Course) or Logic.
2. H.P.S. I, Theory of Statistics I, Theory of Statistics II or Logic.
For Science Students or Graduates who have passed in H.P.S. (Science Course) the following courses are available*:
1. Group 4 subject, H.P.S. (Science Course), H.P.S. II.
2. H.P.S. ( Science Course, H.P.S. II, H.P.S. III.
3 H.P.S. ( Science Course), H.P.S. II, Logic.
4. H.P.S. (Science Course), Theory of Statistics I, Logic.
Note: Students with appropriate pre-requisites who wish to take the maximum number of Pass H.P.S. subjects may complete a double major by taking H.P.S. I, H.P.S. II, H.P.S. III, H.P.S. (Science Course) and any two of the following: Logic, an additional group 4 subject, Theory of Statistics I, Theory of Statistics II.
44-1. HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE I
Course Controller: Miss M. M. MacCallum Lecturers: Dr. L. Trengave, Dr. E. B. tasking A course of three lectures and one tutorial per week.
Part of the course will be devoted to a discussion of the nature of scientific knowledge and explanation as understood from Classical Greek to modern times.
The mainart of the subject will be a detailed study of the development of selected scientific theories using, where possible, the writings of the scientists con- cerned. This study will involve a discussion of the problems that had to be faced the emergence of the new concepts necessary to solve these problems and the general outlook and philosophy of the times dealt with.
The theories selected have been chosen because they are:
1. comprehensible to students who have not had previous scientific and mathe-
• Subject to approval.
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FACULTY OF ABTS HANDBOOK
matiсal training and
2. are central to the overall development of science.
No scientific or mathematiсal knowledge will be presupposed in this course.
Written work and tests will be required during the year and these will be taken into account in the final result.
SYLLABUS
The following or similar topics.
A. The history of Astronomy from Greek times to Newton.
B. Changing views of scientific explanation and method.
C. The history of Generation and Genetics.
BOOКS
(a) Preliminary reading:
(A sheet giving detailed advice on preliminary reading is available to intending students from the Secretary of the Department.)
Asimov, I. WeiØrings of Life. (Mentor, 1961.)
Asimov, I.—A Short History of Biology. (Natural History Press, 1964.) Adler,
I—The
Sun and its Family. ( Signet Science Library, 1962. ) (b) Prescribed textbooks:*Roneoed Source Material issued by the Department.
*Kuhn, T.—The Copernican Revolution. (Longmans, 1954, Random House paperback, 195.)
*Toulmin, S., and Goodfield,
J. Fabric
of the Heavens. (Pelican, 1963.) (c) Recommended for continual reference:*Cohen, I. B.—The Birth of а New Physics. (Heinemann, 1961.)
*Koestler,
A.—The
Watershed. (Heinemann, Science Study Series. ) also contained in The Sleepwalkers. (Hutchinson, 1959.) Butterfield,1.—The
Origins of Modern Science. (Bell, 1957.)Rattray Taylor, G.—The Science of Life. (Thames and Hudson, 1963.) A further bibliography will be issued to all students enrolled in this subject.
EXAMINATION. Two 3-hour papers.
EXTERNAL STUDIES
Students who have already made satisfactory progress towards their B.A. degree may apply in writing to the department for permission to take this subject externally.
44-2. HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE II Dr. E. B. tasking, Dr. R. Home
A course of three lectures and one tutorial per week. One lecture per week will be devoted to the factual scientific content necessary for an understanding of the historical material. Students who pass the initial or mid-year test will be exempted from further attendance at these classes.
The approach to this subject is similar to H.P.S. I, but involves a more ad- vanced study of the logic of the theories dealt with. These theories will be more sophisticated from a scientific point of view. The course will make extensive use of original sources and study the logical and conceptual problems that are raised.
Written work and tests will be required during the year and these will be taken into account in the final result.
SYLLABUS
A selection from the following or similar topics.
1. Greek Dynamics.
2. Dynamics in the Middle Ages.
3. Rise of modern mechanics.
4. Theories of the structure of matter.
5. Gas chemistry, including its application to biological problems.
6. Theories of combustion.
7. Foundations of the atomic theory.
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE Books
(a) Preliminary reading:
Cohen, I. B.—The
Birth of a New Physics. ( Heinemann,
1961.) Gregory, S.A.—Chemicals and People. (London,
1961.) (b) Prescribed textbooks:*Roneoed Source Material issued by the Department ( с ) Recommended for continual reference:
Dijksterhuis, E. J: The
Mechanization of the World Picture. ( І .U.
Р.,
1961.) Crornbie, A.C.—Augustine to Galileo. ( Mercury
Books, 1961.)Hall, A.
R.—From Galileo to Newton. ( Collins. )
Prescribed textbooks and books recommended for continual reference for the second half of the course will be placed on the notice board at the department.
A further bibliography will be issued at the beginning of the year.
EXAMINATION. Two 3-hour papers.
EXTERNAL STUDIES
Students who have already made satisfactory progress towards their B.A. degree may apply in writing to the department for permission to take this subject externally.
44-3. HISTOНY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE III Miss D. J. Dyason
The aim of this course is to study the development of scientific ideas and technology which have had important social or economic consequences.
A course of weekly lecture seminars (2-3 hours ) plus weekly tutorial (2-3 hours).
Written work will be an integral part of the course.
SYLLABUS
A selection from the following or similar topics:
1. Development of the germ theory of disease.
2. The Aristotelian concept of science and its methods; its influence and over- throw.
3. Science during the Renaissance. The influence of the artist and artisan on scientific thought. Science and Humanism.
4. Science and Religion.
5. The rise of chemical industry.
6. Development of steam power.
7. Development of electrical power.
8. 18th Century French biology and its interconnections with the intellectual movements in pre-revolutionary France.
9. Development of Public Health measures.
10. Newtonian world system.
11. Problem of statics in relation to architecture and civil engineering.
Books
The emphasis will be on original scientific publications. Roneoed Source Material and bibliographies will be issued by the department.
(a) Preliminary reading:
Gale, A. H. Epidernia
Diseases. ( Penguin,
1959.)Poynter, F.
N.
L., and Keele, K. D.—AShort History of
Мedicine. (Millså
Boone, 1961.)Winslow, C. E. A. Man and
Epidemics. ( Princeton,
1952.)Wileeeks, C.—Medical
Advance, Public Health and Social Evolution.
(Pergamon Press, 1965.)(b) Prescribed textbook:
Camai, C. N. B. —Classics
of Medicine and
Surgery. (Dover, N.Y., 1959.) (c) Recommended for continual reference:Longmate, N.
—
King Cholera. (Hamish Hamilton, 1966.)Winslow, C. E. A.—The
Conquest of
EpidemieDisease.
(Princeton, 1943.) Additional bibliographies will be provided during the year.Further bibliography for Preliminary reading may be obtained from the Depart- ment.
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FACULTY OF ARTS HANDBOOK
EXAMINATION. Two 3-hour papers.
EXTERNAL STUDIES. Correspondence tuition is not available in this subject.
382. HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE (SCIENCE COURSE )
Mr. F. J. Clendiпnen
A course of three lectures and one tutorial per week throughout the year, together with prescribed essay work. The essays will be regarded as an essential part of the course and the student must reach a satisfactory standard in these before he will be granted permission to take the final examination. The normal requirement will be two 3,000-word essays on approved topics.
The main emphasis of this course will be on the philosophy or logic of science, although the course will include a detailed historical case study, and historical examples will be used to illustrate logical points.
SYLLABUS
1. Introductory Lectures on Logic. The purpose of these lectures is to introduce the student to some of the tools of modern logical analysis.
2. The Nature of Mathematics. A discussion of empiricist, formalist, intuitionist,. and other views about the foundations of arithmetic and geometry, and of the relation- ship between mathematics and physical theory.
3. General Problems in the Philosophy of Science. A selection of not more than
four of the following topics: .
(a) theories and explanations;
b) verification and meaning;
c) causality and probability;
( d ) laws and concepts;
(e) metaphysical principles ( e.g. the principles of simplicity, suшcient reason, symmetry, and essential connectivity).
4. Concept Analysis. A detailed logical analysis of one of the following groups of physical concepts:
(i) force and related concepts;
(ii) heat and temperature; .
(iii) space and time;
(iv) measurement.
5. Historical Case Study.A detailed historical case study of some part or parts of the history of science, involving careful analysis of relevant primary source material
BOOKS
The student will be provided with fairly extensive reading lists of books and journal articles as the course proceeds, and roneoed source material will be provided by the department.
( a) Recommended for preliminary reading:
Butterfield, H. The Origins of Modern Science. ( Bell, 1957.)
Hospers, J.—An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis, Chapters 1-5. (R.K.P.,
1959.) .
(b) Prescribed textbooks:
*Hempel; Carl G.—Philosophy of Natural Science. (Prentice-Hall.)
*Barker, Stephen—Philosophy of Mathematics. (Prentice-Hall.) (c) Recommended for reference:
Madden, E. H.—The Structure of Scientific Thought. (Routledge & Kegan Paul.) Dantx, A., and Morgenbesser, S.—Philosophy of Science. (Meridian, 1960.) . EXAMINATION. Two 3-hour papers.
EXTERNAL STUDIES. Correspondence tuition is not available in this subject.
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF scrENCE