This version of the course has a special focus on philosophical and methodological issues arising in the social sciences.
The aim of the course is to provide a deeper understanding of the methodological and underlying philosophical issues that arise in science, in particular the social sciences, and inspire to reflection on such issues within the student’s own area of study. After having taken the course the student should have acquired basic knowledge of the foundational issues in the methodology and philosophy of science, specially as regards the social sciences.
The course introduces key concepts in the philosophy and methodology of science such as knowledge, truth, belief, subjectivity, intersubjectivity and objectivity, causality vs. covariation, scientific explanation, observation and measurement, issues in the methodology of the social sciences, quantitative vs. qualitative methodology, the path from science to policy, hypothesis testing, verifying and falsifying hypotheses, the nature of scientific models, simulations, research ethics.
This is a course for masters students who have previously obtained a basic degree.
Active participation. Take-home test, written exam.
Coordinators: John Cantwell (790 92 08, cantwell[at]infra.kth.se), Peter Modin (790 90 56, modin[at]kth.se)