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Office of the Vice Rector for Teaching and Students Office of the Vice Rector for Teaching and Students

assoz. Prof. Dr. Ulrich Metschl assoz. Prof. Dr. Ulrich Metschl, +43 512 507 40206

800919

History of science

SE 2

2,5

weekly

each semester

German

Deepened understanding of the development (and the copncept) of scientific rationality.

The course offers a philosophically minded tour through the history and evolution of science. Regular stops at various points of interest will eventually frame a picture showing that scientfic progress is not simply a linear process along which new items of knowledge keep stacking up. On the contrary, the history of science is beset by trials and tribulations much as it is by lasting achievements. The course, however, does not intend to denigrate scientific knowledge, nor will it be based on a postmodern reading of scientific rationality. Rather, by studying paradigmatic instances of scientific beliefs a more nuanced and critically reflected conception of scientific knowledge will be gained that may even be of wider interest, in particular in times when science and research are exposed to a vast array of public demands which ultimately may lead to profound changes in the very nature of science.

students' contributions, discussion

presentation, term paper