Course for international guest/part time students
- Faculty
- Faculty of Humanities
- Organization
- BTK Institute of Philosophy
- Code
- BMI-LOTD17-201E.02
- Title
- Introduction to the philosophy of social sciences: Philosophy of Social Science
- Usual semester
- Autumn
- ECTS
- 3
- Language
- Learning outcomes
- Philosophy of Social Science Tuesday 10:00-11:30, building I, room 224 (BI-224) Instructor: Anna Réz Short description: the course offers a general introduction of some of the main contemporary issues discussed within the philosophy of social science. Topics include: · rational choice explanations and game theory · explanation and prediction in social sciences · reductionism, individualism, holism · values and objectivity This is an advanced seminar, where previous knowledge in philosophy and/or social sciences is highly recommended. Requirements: · 5 response papers, handed in before classes (35%) · regular attendance and active class participation (30%) · midterm and end of term exams (35%) OR · midterm and end of term exams (35%) · research paper (appr. 2000 words, for doctoral students 4000 words) (65%) Readings: Fine, Cordelia: „Sexual dinosaurs”. Aeon Philosophy, 2020. https://aeon.co/essays/trumped-up-charges-of-feminist-bias-are-bad-for-science Little, D. „Microfoundations of Marxism”. In: M. Martin - L. C. McIntyre (eds.): Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge (Mass.): MIT Press 1994. Machlup, F. “Are the Social Sciences Really Inferior?”, reprinted in M. Martin and L.C. McIntyre, eds. Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge MA: MIT Press, 1994. Putnam, H. "Beyond the Fact/Value Dichotomy", in H. Putnam, Realism With a Human Face, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1990. Sen, A. "Rational Fools", Philosophy and Public Affairs, 6, pp. 317−44., 1976, reprinted in M. Martin and L.C. McIntyre, eds. Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge MA: MIT Press, 1994. Taylor, C. "Interpretation and the Sciences of Man", Review of Metaphysics, 25, pp. 3−51., 1971; reprinted in M. Martin and L.C. McIntyre, eds. Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge MA: MIT Pr mess, 1994. (excerpts) Watkins, J. W. N. „Historical Explanation in the Social Sciences”. In: M. Martin - L. C. McIntyre (eds.): Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge (Mass.): MIT Press 1994. Weisstein, N. “Psychology Constructs the Female”. In: M. Martin - L. C. McIntyre (eds.): Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge (Mass.): MIT Press 1994.
- Course content
- The course offers a general survey of some of the main contemporary issues discussed within the discipline. Topics include: • rational choice explanations • explanation and prediction in social sciences • reductionism, individualism, holism • values and objectivity This is an advanced seminar, where previous knowledge in philosophy and/or social sciences is highly recommended.
- Assessment method
- Requirements: •5 response papers, handed in before classes (35%) •regular attendance and active class participation (30%) •midterm and end of term exams (35%) OR •midterm and end of term exams (35%) •research paper (appr. 2000 words, for doctoral students 4000 words) (65%)
- Bibliography
- Classes: 11 September: Introduction, technical information 18 September: Introduction Reading: Machlup, F. “Are the Social Sciences Really Inferior?”, reprinted in M. Martin and L.C. McIntyre, eds. Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge MA: MIT Press, 1994. 25 September: Rational choice theory Reading: Sen, A. "Rational Fools", Philosophy and Public Affairs, 6, pp. 317−44., 1976, reprinted in M. Martin and L.C. McIntyre, eds. Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge MA: MIT Press, 1994. 2 October: Functionalism Reading: Little, D. Varieties of Social Explanation. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Social Science, ch. 8. Westview Press: Boulder, Colorado. 9 October: Statistical explanations 16 October: Interpretative theories Reading: Taylor, C."Interpretation and the Sciences of Man", Review of Metaphysics, 25, pp. 3−51., 1971; reprinted in M. Martin and L.C. McIntyre, eds. Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge MA: MIT Pr mess, 1994. 23 October: National Holiday 30 October: Fall Break 6 November Midterm exam 13 November Individualism and holism I Reading: Watkins, J. W. N. „Historical Explanation in the Social Sciences”. In: M. Martin - L. C. McIntyre (eds.): Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge (Mass.): MIT Press 1994. 20 November: Indiviualism and holism II Reading: Lukes, S. „Methodological Individualism Reconsidered”. In M. Martin - L. C. McIntyre (eds.): Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge (Mass.): MIT Press 1994. 27 November: Value and objectivity I Reading: Putnam, H. "Beyond the Fact/Value Dichotomy", in H. Putnam, Realism With a Human Face, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1990. 4 December: Value and objectivity II Reading: Weisstein, N. “Psychology Constructs the Female”. In: M. Martin - L. C. McIntyre (eds.): Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge (Mass.): MIT Press 1994. 11 December: End of term exam