Information Package / Course Catalogue
Problems of Philosophy of Science
Course Code: FLSF604
Course Type: Area Elective
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

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.Analyzing the fundamental texts about the problem of demarcation line between science and non-science
2.Bilim tarihi ile bilim felsefesi arasındaki ilişkiyi kavrar
3.Discussing the theories of major philosophers in Philosophy of Science
4.Thinking on the concepts like truth, universality and objectivity of the scientific theories
5.Gaining a profound understanding about the debate of being scientific through positivistic and anti-positivistic interpretations
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Lecture Notes.
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 2 - Theoretical
Replies to „What is Science.
Week 3 - Theoretical
The history of term: „Science“
Week 4 - Theoretical
The Demarcation problem.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Discussions about Scientific criterion.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Logical Positivism.
Week 7 - Theoretical
Popper and falsification.
Week 8 - Intermediate Exam
Midterm.
Week 9 - Theoretical
Lakatos and sophisticated falsificationism.
Week 10 - Theoretical
P.Duhem, E.Meyerson and A.Koyré’s ideas on science.
Week 11 - Theoretical
A.Koyré’s ideas on science and history of Science, L. Fleck and science as a common consciousness.
Week 12 - Theoretical
Duhem-Quine thesis and the verification on the basis of holism.
Week 13 - Theoretical
T.Kuhn and the paradigms.
Week 14 - Theoretical
J. Zimann and Social facts on Science.
Week 15 - Theoretical
L. Laudan’s thesis on Traditions in Science.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%30
Attending Lectures1%10
Seminar1%30
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
OÇ-1
4
OÇ-2
3
OÇ-3
4
OÇ-4
2
OÇ-5
3
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026