Information Package / Course Catalogue
Philosophy of Sicence
Course Code: MİÇ601
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: Third Cycle (Doctorate Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The aim of the course is to develop students" abilities to critically analyse scientific research and knowledge on the basis of central perspectives within the philosophy of science.

Course Content

The focus is on perspectives in the philosophy of science and different scientific paradigms. The course deals with relations between ontology, epistemology and methodological considerations and what characterises scientific thinking.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. Pelin ERDAL AYTEKİN
Learning Outcomes
1.At the end of this course students will be able to explain and problematize what characterises science and scientific explanations.
2.Define and reflect on the central concepts and perspectives in the philosophy of science.
3.Describe epistemological and ontological differences between scientific paradigms
4.Problematize and evaluate the implications of the relations between ontology, epistemology and methodological considerations, and evaluate the consequences of scientific knowledge production.
5.Describe and problematize research ethics.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Demir, O. (2012). Bilim Felsefesi. Sentez Yaynları.
2.Yildirim, C. (2014). Bilim Felsefesi.Remzi Kitabevi.
3.Keat, R., Urry, J. (2001). Bilim olarak Sosyal Teori, İmge Kitabevi.
4.Materials and notes shared throughout the lesson.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Course introduction, Understanding of Science and Philosophy of Science
Week 2 - Theoretical
Positivist Philosophy of Science: Positivist Explanation Approach; Positivist Theory; Positivism and the Logic of Science
Week 3 - Theoretical
Realist Philosophy of Science: Realist Understanding of Explanation; Realist Theory and Model Conception; Realism and Theoretical terms; Some Problems of Realism
Week 4 - Theoretical
Types of Conventionalism: Falsification Problems; The Theory of Neutrality Problem; Rationality Problems; Conventionalism and Instrumentalism
Week 5 - Theoretical
Scientific Approaches in Social Theory; Introduction
Week 6 - Theoretical
Sociology and Positivism: Comte’s Positivism; Mill and Spencer
Week 7 - Theoretical
Sociology and Positivism: Durkheimian Positivism; American Positivism
Week 8 - Intermediate Exam
Midterm Exam
Week 9 - Theoretical
Marx and Realism: Introduction to Marx's Method; Historical Materialism; Abstraction and Idealization; Function and Contradiction in Production Styles
Week 10 - Theoretical
Structure and Structuralism: Structural Approaches; Structuralism; Criticism of Structural Analysis
Week 11 - Theoretical
Meaning and Ideology; Introduction
Week 12 - Theoretical
Explanation and Understanding of Social Action: Weber and Interpretative Sociology; Causes, Reasons and Action; Positivism, Realism and Agent's Point of View; Meaning and Understanding
Week 13 - Theoretical
Reification and Realism: The Marxist Concept of Ideology; The Reification Analysis of Lukacs, Berger and Pulberg; Realism and Reified Social Theory
Week 14 - Theoretical
Values, Theory and Reality: Weber and Freedom of Value; Explanation of Rationality and Beliefs, Critical Theory
Week 15 - Final Exam
Final Exam
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory152375
Reading52220
Midterm Examination114115
Final Examination114115
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)125
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
OÇ-1
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
OÇ-2
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
OÇ-3
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
OÇ-4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
OÇ-5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026