Tyler Delmore
tyler.delmore@gmail.com
Office hours: Tuesdays, 13:30-14:30, Ross Building (room TBA). Or by appointment

The course will be delivered as an in-person seminar.

The theme of the course will involve a set of questions to do with the relation between scientific knowledge and the societies or communities producing that knowledge. Topics will include a consideration of the ways in which ‘science is political’. On the one hand, it has been argued that “science is neither red nor blue” (referring to the American context), and that it produces apolitical conclusions that are neutral in terms of evaluation or policy agendas (McNutt, 2024). On the other hand, it has been argued that science is intrinsically social and political and that scientists should be incorporating larger communities in their work and advocating for particular policy positions. Deciding how to navigate between these two opposite responses will involve confronting a number of sub-questions. What about the many cases of science producing false conclusions that advance harmful political agendas (e.g., the case of Cold Spring Harbor and American eugenics)? Here, science has become political. But there remains the issue of how such episodes might change our view of scientific knowledge. Should we become cynical about the processes of science? Or does science itself contain the tools for correction? Further topics include considering the view that scientific knowledge is distinguished (‘demarcated’) by its ability to strip away subjective, cultural, or political influence; whether science is fundamentally social or communal, and, if so, what this should mean about semantic or epistemic ‘justification’; whether science is (or should be) “value-“, “bias-” or “context-free”; and whether scientists or scientific institutions have a responsibility to avoid the misuse of their research.

The readings will be provided by the instructor. They will consist of book excerpts, scientific articles, academic articles, and so on. All are free / ‘fair use’, there is no textbook.

Two in-class tests: 30% and 25%, respectively. Multiple choice and short written responses.

In-class participation: 5% per class for 9 of 11 classes (2 ‘dropped marks’ - see below) = 45%. Assigned based on small group work and a written summary produced by each group (all in-class).

The course will proceed as a seminar, meeting twice a week (minus holidays) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Class time will be divided into periods for individual reading (at the class outset), short lectures, and group discussions. Additionally, there will be two 75-minute in-class tests.

The group discussion section will be crucial for students’ learning goals and success. Typically, the discussion sessions will begin by breaking the class into small groups, with the groups given time to discuss assigned questions about the readings. Thereafter, we will reconvene as a class so that groups can offer their responses. This process will allow all students to develop the confidence and ability to participate in verbal discussion, to develop both their speaking skills and abilities for critical engagement, and to have their views heard. These discussions will also allow students to hone the skills and background necessary to succeed on the two tests.

There are no tutorials and there will be no final exam in exam period.

Students will learn about and engage with the guiding issues in contemporary philosophy of science; in-class time will be dedicated to developing skills in the critical evaluation of philosophical writing and will help improve students’ abilities to read, parse, and evaluate arguments; the course’s content will grapple directly with pressing issues in science and politics; small group discussions will offer a chance for students to discuss philosophy among similarly-informed peers; group discussion will help develop skills and confidence in presenting and defending oral arguments.

In-person attendance is expected, with the written tests and the participation grades requiring students to be in class.

Class participation will be evaluated in 11 of the class days (i.e., on every day except for the initial class of the semester), with there being the opportunity for students to ‘drop’ the 2 lowest of those 11 marks. (Those same dropped marks can be used in the case that a student misses a class for illness or emergency. The ‘0’ they would receive can be annulled.)

Students with a documented reason for missing a test, such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s letter) may request accommodation from the instructor. This will involve a make-up test to be completed before or during class at a later date. Further extensions or accommodation will require students to submit a formal petition to the Faculty.