Department of History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine

This course explores epistemic, pragmatic, and social values and their roles in scientific practice and theory. Topics will range across historical and philosophical assessments of scientific explanation to the explicit and implicit roles values play in actual scientific research. A central issue will be the various meanings of “objectivity” and its role in science, as well as related biases and contextual considerations. The course is intended for anybody interested in the roles of values in science, which include, but are not limited to, those with backgrounds in medicine, science, philosophy, and public policy. Grading for undergraduate students is based on participation, quizzes, exams, and two papers. Grading for graduate students is based on participation, quizzes, exams, an oral presentation, and one paper