In this course, students will come into contact with the methodology of science and the classical concepts of physics and biology. They will be introduced to the accumulated knowledge in science, as well as the functioning of scientific progress.
UNIT 1: AN APPROACH TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Topic 1: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science
1.1 Claims of the Philosophy of Science
1.2 Overview of the Philosophy of Science
1.3 Sources and Levels of Knowledge
1.4 Inventory of the Main Characteristics of Science
1.5 Classification of the Sciences in Modern Theory
Topic 2: Historical Keys of the Philosophy of Science
2.1 The Aristotelian Method
2.2 Copernicus' Heliocentric Model
2.3 A New Science of the Heavens: Kepler and Galileo
2.4 Critique of Aristotelianism: Descartes and Mechanism
2.5 Experimental Philosophy: Bacon
2.6 Newtonian Rational Mechanics
Topic 3: The Scientific Methodology
3.1 Scientific Argumentation
3.2 Grounding of Deductive Inference
3.3 Scientific Hypotheses
3.4 Hypothesis Testing
3.5 Scientific Laws
3.6 The Debate Between Inductivism and Deductivism
3.7 Scientific Theories
3.8 Scientific Models
3.9 Scientific Concepts
3.10 Scientific Explanation
3.11 The Scientific Method
3.12 Critical Realism: Karl Popper
3.13 Real Science: Thomas Kuhn
3.14 Against Method: Paul Feyerabend
UNIT 2: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF CLASSICAL PHYSICS
Topic 4: Philosophy of Real Science: Non-living Matter
4.1 Newtonian Concepts of Space and Time
4.2 Newton's Gravitational Principle
4.3 The Construction of the Heavens
4.4 The Foundations of Classical Mechanics
4.5 Experimental Physics of Heat and the Concept of Energy
4.6 The Science of Electricity and Magnetism
4.7 Classical Fields: Electromagnetism
Topic 5: Philosophy of the Classical Physical Sciences of the 20th Century
5.1 Matter: Atomic Models and Macroscopic Aggregates
5.2 Relativistic Space-Time: A New Philosophy
5.3 Classical Cosmological Models: The Heat Death of the Universe
5.4 Determinism in Physical Theories
5.5 The Problem of Consistency and Stability in the Universe
UNIT 3: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF BIOLOGY
Topic 6: Philosophy of Real Science: Living Matter
6.1 The Concept of Living Matter
6.2 Pasteur and the Theory of Spontaneous Generation of Life
6.3 Life and Energy
6.4 The Cell
6.5 Sensations, Emotions, and Feelings
Topic 7: Philosophy of the Biological Sciences
7.1 The Concept of Molecular Biology
7.2 The Central Dogma of Biology
7.3 Genetic Determinism
7.4 Genetics and Epigenetics
7.5 The Problem of the Causes of Biological Order
The following strategies will be used for the development of the course:
? Expository Method: Presentation of theoretical content through in-person classes, slides, audiovisual material, and documentation on the platform.
? Text and Document Analysis: Personal reading of materials that cover the main content of the course, with individual preparation and group discussions in class sessions.
? Oral Presentation Method: Presentations and exposés by students, followed by a response time from the professor and other students.
? Written Presentation Method: Response from the student and submission of questionnaires for each thematic unit.
? Class Debates and Exchanges: Guided debates and exchanges in class with the professor. Along with participation in lectures and personal, critical analysis of sources, the student must be able to test their knowledge intersubjectively through supervised debates. These discussions will help make the content of each unit more dynamic and its results more accessible, always aiming to engage with the social and historical context surrounding the student.
Ordinary Exam Session: To be evaluated in the ordinary session, all the assessment activities must be completed. The assessable activities must be submitted by the dates indicated by the professor. If, for any justified and communicated reason, these activities cannot be submitted within the specified period, they may be submitted before the exam date, allowing the professor to grade them. However, the professor is not obliged to provide feedback on these activities. On the other hand, the student has the right to take the final written exam, even if all the other assessment activities have not been submitted. However, the final grade for the course will only be calculated if all activities have been submitted and according to the evaluation criteria and weights set forth in the course syllabus. In the event that any activity has not been submitted or completed, the student will be marked as "Not Presented" in the exam session record.
Extraordinary Exam Session: The evaluation criteria are the same as in the ordinary session, so all the assessment activities outlined in the course must be submitted. The grades for the completed activities (including the final written exam) will be kept, awaiting the completion of the remaining activities. The same weighting criteria as the ordinary exam session will apply. This measure will only be valid for the current academic year; if the student does not pass the extraordinary session, they will need to re-enroll in the course in full.
Partial and Final Synthesis Tests: 30%.
Individual Presentations and Class Participation: 10%.
Reflective Essays: These essays will consist of monthly batches of essays based on texts and class debates: 60%.
(2013) BUNGE, M., La ciencia. Su método y su filosofía. Laetoli Editorial S.L.. Madrid
(1999) DÍEZ, J.A. & MOULINES, C. U., Fundamentos de Filosofía de la Ciencia. Ariel. Barcelona
(1988) HAWKING, S. W., Historia del tiempo. Crítica. Barcelona
(1981) LOSEE, J., Introducción histórica a la filosofía de la ciencia. Alianza editorial. Madrid
(1984) MONSERRAT, J., Epistemología evolutiva y teoría de la ciencia. UPCM. Madrid
(2013) SOLÍS, C. & SELLÉS, M., Historia de la ciencia. Espasa. Madrid
(2007) ORDÓÑEZ, J., NAVARRO, V, & SÁNCHEZ RON, J. M., Historia de la ciencia. Austral. Barcelona
(2008) CARREIRA, M., Ciencia y fe. ¿Relaciones de complementariedad? Voz de Papel. Madrid
(2002) HAWKING, S. W., El universo en una cáscara de nuez. Crítica. Barcelona
(2005) MAUDLIN, T.., Philosohpy of physics. University Press. Princeton
(2015) MONSERRAT, J., El gran enigma. Ateos y creyentes antes el enigma del más allá. San Pablo. Madrid
(1995) SAGAN, C., El mundo y sus demonios. Crítica. Barcelona