Handouts below are from the previous offering of the course; I will update them as the semester progresses.
Possible Topics for Presentations and Papers
Introduction: What is the Aim of Science?
Demarcation 1: Some demarcation proposals
Demarcation 2: Creation Science Readings
Hempel's Model of Explanation (includes discussion of criticisms and alternatives)
Some Arguments for Scientific Realism
Realism and Constructive Empiricism
Fine on the Natural Ontological Attitude
The Semantic Conception of Theories
Logic Symbols (some of the essays in our text use logical symbolism; here's a quick overview)
Probability: A Quick Introduction (pdf)
Bayes's Theorem and the Philosophy of Science (pdf)
Bayesian Theory Evaluator (Java applet)
Experimental "Learning Object" on Bayes' Theorem (in progress, but there's a fair amount there)
Notes on Kuhn, Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Last update: February 14, 2011
Curtis Brown | Philosophy of Science | Philosophy Department | Trinity University
cbrown@trinity.edu