Information Package / Course Catalogue
Problems of Philosophy of Science
Course Code: FLSF502
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Second Cycle (Master's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

This course introduces the core problems in the philosophy of science, in particular the debates about the nature of the scientific method, theories of confirmation, and the demarcation of science from non-science, the rationality of theory change, and scientific realism. Participants will be introduced to the key thinkers in philosophy of science, and metaphysical bases of science and scientific theories.

Course Content

This course provides an introduction to problems of philosophy of science beginning with the origins of modern science in the Scientific Revolution in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and provides main thoughts in contemporary controversies among 20.th century philosophers of science including the debate about the various forms of scientific thought.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. Cengiz İskender ÖZKAN
Learning Outcomes
1.1.Learning problems in the Philosophy of Science.
2.2.Comprehending the fundamental thesis about the problems of philosophy of science.
3.3.Founding out the metaphysical foundations of science.
4.4.Counciousness about the results of science, absolute positivism and dealing with critique about this.
5.To be able to link Philosophy of Science with history of science
Recommended or Required Reading
1.1.Lecture notes
2.2.Basic works of philosophers who leading of the philosophy of science.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to Philosophy of Science.
Week 1 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 2 - Theoretical
Replies to „What is Science?“
Week 2 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 3 - Theoretical
The history of term: „Science“
Week 3 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 4 - Theoretical
The Demarcation problem
Week 4 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 5 - Theoretical
Discussions about Scientific criterion.
Week 5 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 6 - Theoretical
Logical Positivism
Week 6 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 7 - Theoretical
Popper and falsification
Week 7 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 8 - Intermediate Exam
Midterm
Week 9 - Theoretical
Lakatos and sophisticated falsificationism
Week 9 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 10 - Theoretical
P.Duhem, E.Meyerson and A.Koyré’s ideas on science
Week 10 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 11 - Theoretical
A.Koyré’s ideas on science and history of Science, L. Fleck and science as a common consciousness.
Week 11 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 12 - Theoretical
Duhem-Quine thesis and the verification on the basis of holism
Week 12 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 13 - Theoretical
T.Kuhn and the paradigms
Week 13 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 14 - Theoretical
J. Zimann and Social facts on Science.
Week 14 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Week 15 - Theoretical
L. Laudan’s thesis on Traditions in Science.
Week 15 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Browsing
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory151360
Seminar18210
Reading50210
Midterm Examination118220
Final Examination118220
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)120
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
OÇ-1
2
2
3
5
3
4
OÇ-2
2
3
3
OÇ-3
2
3
4
OÇ-4
1
2
2
2
4
OÇ-5
2
2
2
3
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026