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Syllabus

POG0075 Ethics and Philosophy of Science, 4.0 Credits

Subjects

Other Social Science

Education cycle

Postgraduate level

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Admitted as PhD student at SLU.

Objectives

AIM

The course aims at introducing central topics in research ethics and philosophy of science, and to allow students to gain insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society, and humans’ responsibility for how science is used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After the course students should demonstrate the ability to:

• List and describe central concepts in theory and philosophy of science

• tentatively apply these ideas to one’s own field of research

• explain and discuss differences and similarities between different fields of inquiry (e.g. social sciences vs. natural sciences)

• explain some possibilities and pitfalls at the intersection of science/scholarship and societal decision making

• describe and discuss the contents of some codes of professional conduct and their ethical underpinnings

• identify cases of scientific misconduct and suggest strategies for dealing with suspected cases of misconduct

Content

• Truth and knowledge, data and information

• Core concepts and ideas in philosophy of science: Hypothesis testing, explanation and understanding, causation and correlation, positivism and beyond: falsificationism, hypothetico-deductive method; social constructionism, postmodernism, empiricism vs rationalism and holistic vs atomistic perspectives, reflexivity.

• Science and society: The consequences of research, the function of scientific results in policy, and the role of disciplinary perspective in societal discourse and policy making

• Professionalism, professional ethics and its theoretical underpinnings, professional relations

• Scientific misconduct – fabrication/falsification, plagiarism, publication ethics

• Professionalism, professional ethics and its theoretical underpinnings

• Scientific misconduct – fabrication/falsification, plagiarism, publication ethics e t c

• Research involving humans subjects – potential harm, informed consent, confidentiality etc.

• Research involving animals – ethical and legal aspects, relation to research ethics

• Relevant SLU policies and other guidelines

Formats and requirements for examination

Active participation in exercises, including preparations. Short written assignments during the course.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

The course consists of lectures and exercises/group exercises combined. Participation is mandatory, as is preparation for the exercises.

Dates for Spring 2025 (all dates at campus Ultuna):

Thu April 10

Fri April 11

Wed April 23

Mon May 5

Fri May 9th

Tue May 20

Mon May 26

Mon June 2