Course description

Course lay-out

The course is organized around the idea of separate styles of scientific thinking. The first is the deductive ideal in science, and it will be shown how the concept of 'scientific laws' originated in this tradition.

 

The second is the experimental style, which exists in two forms, one begun by Galileo, the other conceptualised by Francis Bacon. The third is analogical reasoning in science. Much of the so-called Scientific Revolution (Newton) will be discussed in this context.

 

The fourth, fifth, and sixth are the taxonomical, the statistical and the evolutionary style. Important developments in the biological and the physical sciences will be discussed under these headings, while the humanities and the social sciences will be treated as well.

 

Educational goals

The aim of the course is to give a general history of science from Aristotle to the present. The course presents an intellectual history with many links to cultural and social history. Some of the main debates around practicing history of science will be treated.

 

Involved departments

• Open UvA Lecture

 

Evaluation

Evaluation of the course and assignments

I followed this course, because I did not pass the Spanish exam. However I have no regrets that I followed this course. The course looks at the history of science from the age of Aristotle until now. Questions like 'how did the experimental style conquer science?' are answered. These kind of questions give a better insight into the current science about what we have accepted nowadays which was not good science in the past.

 

The course consists of work groups and completing four assignments and a book report. Each of the first four assignments covered a particular scientific style and was a clearification of the materials that had to be studied. Furthermore a book had to be read which was historic-scientific relevant. The book had to be fit in a particular style and had to be analysed. During an oral presentation you received feedback from other students. This feedback could be incorporated in your book report.

 

I learned a lot during this course and I do understand the current science better by studying the past. It was an interesting course to participate in.