Duration
Elements of sciences philosophy : 15h Th
Bioethics : 15h Th
Number of credits
| Bachelor in biology | 2 crédits |
Lecturer
Elements of sciences philosophy : Pieter Thyssen
Bioethics : Florence Caeymaex, Patrick du Jardin, Marc Vandenheede
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Elements of sciences philosophy
This course offers an introduction to the major 'classical' questions in the philosophy of science by exploring the answers provided by key figures such as the logical empiricists, Popper and Kuhn.
Some central questions of the course:
- How are scientific theories developed and tested?
- What criteria are used to accept or reject a scientific theory?
- What is a scientific explanation?
- What are laws of nature?
- Is there genuine scientific progress?
- Does the validity of a theory's predictions imply that the theory is true?
- Can non-physical disciplines be considered sciences?
Bioethics
The part on bioethics of the course « Philosophy and bioethics" will consist in a series of lectures by different speakers:
- Introduction to bioethics (4 hours) - Florence CAEYMAEX
- Bioethics of medically-assisted procreation (2 hours) - Michelle NISOLLE
- Which ethical assessment of GMOs in agriculture ? Patrick DU JARDIN
- Experimenting with laboratory animals (2 hours) - Marc VANDENHEEDE
- Prenatal cytology: new techniques, new questions of ethics (2 hours) - Jean-Stéphane GATOT
- Human genome modifications and bioethical implications (2 hours) - Julien HANSON
- Bioethics of stem cells (2 hours) - Vincent GEENEN
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Elements of sciences philosophy
1. Introduce students to the major 'classical' issues in the philosophy of science, such as the problem of induction, scientific explanation, the role of natural laws, causality, as well as the verification and falsification of scientific theories.
2. Analyse the underdetermination of theories by empirical data, the question of scientific progress, scientific realism, as well as the debates on the reduction and emergence of scientific theories.
3. Introduce students to some specific themes in the philosophy of physics, chemistry and biology, such as the notion of time in special relativity, the measurement problem in quantum mechanics, the reality of atoms and molecules in chemistry, and the problem of species in biology.
Bioethics
Awareness of ethical issues in live sciences.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Elements of sciences philosophy
None.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Elements of sciences philosophy
The course consists of 15 hours of ex cathedra lectures.
Bioethics
The schedule of lectures will be made available early in the second quadrimester.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Elements of sciences philosophy
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Although the course will primarily be in person, some sessions may be held online.
Bioethics
Lectures.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Elements of sciences philosophy
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
- MyULiège
Further information:
There is no syllabus.
The slides presented during the lectures will be made available to students (in PDF format on eCampus) throughout the semester.
Additional readings
Most of the issues that will be covered during the course are introduced and discussed in:
- Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction, by Samir Okasha (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016, second edition, 160 pages)
- Philosophy of Science: Key Concepts, by Steven French (London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2016, second edition, 240 pages)
These books are recommended for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the subject, but are not required for the course.
Elements of sciences philosophy
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Further information:
Components of the evaluation
Final grade = attendance (mandatory, ungraded, 0%) + written assignment (100%).
Class participation
Students must actively participate in class discussions. Therefore, attendance at each session is mandatory.
Written assignment
The written assignment will consist of an in-depth analysis of a concept or problem chosen by the student, and approved in advance by the professor. The assignment should be submitted to the professor on the day of the exam.
Particular attention will be given to the student's ability:
- to present the key theses and concepts related to their topic in a clear and concise manner,
- to develop them by drawing on the relevant philosophical literature, and
- to highlight the issues and significance for their specific field of study.
Detailed instructions for completing this assignment will be provided and explained in full during the first class.
Bioethics
Any session :
- In-person
written exam
- Remote
written work
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred remote
Additional information:
Contact prof. Vincent Geenen (vgeenen@uliege.be) or prof. J. Dommes (j.dommes@uliege.be)
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Elements of sciences philosophy
The course takes place in the second semester (February-March), on Wednesdays, from 10:45 to 12:45.
Schedule and course plan: A detailed course plan is available below or under the "course support" tab.
Contacts
Elements of sciences philosophy
Prof. Pieter THYSSEN
Department of Philosophy
Building A1, 2nd floor
Place du 20-Août, 7
B-4000 Liège
p.thyssen@uliege.be
Bioethics
Vincent Geenen - vgeenen@uliege.be Tel.: 2550
Jacques Dommes - j.dommes@ulege.be Tel.: 3899