(in Polish) ML: How Culture and Society Shape Science WF-FI-123-WMANWA25
The course examines the interplay between the internal intellectual development of science and its broader social, cultural, and economic contexts. It introduces key approaches in the history and philosophy of science, from internalist reconstructions of scientific progress to externalist analyses that emphasize science’s embeddedness in society. Through both theoretical discussions and focused case studies, students engage with influential models of scientific development, including Ludwik Fleck’s concept of thought collectives, Thomas Kuhn’s theory of paradigms and scientific revolutions, and Paul Feyerabend’s epistemological anarchism. Historical examples—such as Boris Hessen’s study of Newton’s work in relation to 17th-century economic structures, Paul Forman’s analysis of the cultural origins of quantum mechanics, and debates over Charles Darwin’s theological influences—serve to illustrate the methods and stakes of contextual analysis. The course also explores contemporary historiographical contributions, such as G. Levits and U. Hossfeld’s work on metaparadigms in German biology.
By combining methodological reflection with concrete historical case studies, the course aims to equip students with analytical tools for understanding science as both a cognitive enterprise and a cultural phenomenon. Students will learn to critically assess explanations of scientific change, recognize the variety of factors shaping scientific knowledge, and appreciate the ongoing dialogue between scientific ideas and their historical contexts.
(in Polish) E-Learning
(in Polish) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
(in Polish) Opis nakładu pracy studenta w ECTS
Subject level
Learning outcome code/codes
Type of subject
Preliminary Requirements
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
FI1_W03 : Posługuje się podstawową terminologią filozofii nauki w języku angielskim, dotyczącą zagadnień współczesnej filozofii i historii nauki.
FI1_W08 : Student opisuje specyfikę metodologiczną i przedmiotową współczesnej filozofii i socjologii nauki, w tym relacje między naukami przyrodniczymi a filozofią i naukami społecznymi.
FI1_U07 : Rekonstruuje i ocenia podstawowe typy argumentacji występujące w debatach z zakresu filozofii i historii nauki.
FI1_U11 : Formułuje odpowiedzi w języku angielskim na pytania problemowe dotyczące treści filozoficznych
FI1_K06 : Dąży do stałego rozwijania kompetencji filozoficznych w języku angielskim, wykazując inicjatywę w wyszukiwaniu i analizie dostępnych źródeł.
FI1_W03 : The student uses basic philosophy of science terminology in English, pertaining to issues in contemporary philosophy and history of science.
FI1_W08 : The student describes the methodological and subject-specific features of contemporary philosophy and sociology of science, including the relationships between the natural sciences, philosophy, and the history.
FI1_U07 : The student translates and explains philosophical excerpts from English-language texts concerning the philosophy and history of science.
FI1_U10 : The student reconstructs and evaluates the main types of argumentation found in debates within the philosophy and history of science (i.e. externalism, internalism, paradigm, incommensurability)
FI1_U11 : The student formulates responses in English to problem-solving questions about philosophical content.
FI1_K06 : The student strives to continually develop philosophical competence in English, demonstrating initiative in searching for and analyzing available sources.
Verification of learning outcomes : Class discussion, oral exam, analysis of the text
Assessment criteria
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE EXAM:
Attendance — a maximum of 4 absences is allowed (more = no admission to the exam)
Reading the required excerpts from mandatory readings indicated by the instructor
Active participation in discussions and preparation of problem-oriented questions in English (minimum 3 questions per semester)
The final grade consists of:
1. Class participation and quality of prepared questions — 10 points
The student prepares at least 3 problem-oriented questions in English during the semester related to the discussed topics.
Scoring:
0–3 points for each of the 3 questions
+1 point for participation in discussions
2. Oral exam in English — 40 points
Form: Oral examination (exam interview) based on 2 questions drawn from a pool
Duration: approx. 20–25 minutes
Scope: Entire lecture material and indicated excerpts from readings
Exam structure:
Question 1 — Theoretical (20 points)
Concerns the main concepts, theories, and positions in the philosophy and sociology of science
Evaluation criteria:
Knowledge and understanding of philosophical concepts (0–8 points)
Ability to present different theoretical positions (0–7 points)
References to discussed authors and case studies (0–5 points)
Question 2 — Case Study / Problem-based (20 points)
Concerns specific case studies and their philosophical implications
Evaluation criteria:
Understanding of the case study and its context (0–8 points)
Application of theoretical frameworks to analyze the case (0–7 points)
Critical thinking and evaluation of arguments (0–5 points)
TOTAL POINTS: 50 points
COURSE PASSING REQUIREMENTS:
Meeting the attendance requirements (max. 4 absences)
Achieving at least 50% of the points from the oral exam:
minimum 20 points out of 40
Achieving at least 50% of the total points overall:
minimum 25 points from all components
NOTE: The exam is conducted in English. Failure to meet condition 2
(the exam threshold) results in a failing grade regardless of the total number of points.
Final grading scale:
46–50 points (92–100%) — very good (5.0)
42–45 points (84–90%) — good plus (4.5)
38–41 points (76–82%) — good (4.0)
33–37 points (66–74%) — satisfactory plus (3.5)
25–32 points (50–64%) — satisfactory (3.0)
0–24 points (0–48%) — fail (2.0)
RECOMMENDED READINGS FOR THE EXAM:
Excerpts from texts will be indicated by the instructor during the semester.
NOTE: Exam questions will concern both the lecture content and the indicated excerpts from the readings.
Bibliography
Required reading:
1. Hessen, B., The Social and Economic Roots of Newton's Principia in: Freudenthal, G., McLaughlin, P. (eds) The Social and Economic Roots of the Scientific Revolution, pp. 41–101. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science 278. Springer, Dordrecht. [on-line: https://surplusvalue.org.au/Science_Environment/Hessen%20Social%20&%20Economic%20Roots%20Newtons%20Principia.pdf].
2. Forman, P. (1971) “Weimar Culture, Causality, and Quantum Theory, 1918-1927: Adaptation by German Physicists and Mathematicians to a Hostile Intellectual Environment”. Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences 3: 1-115. [on-line: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261872821_Weimar_Culture_Causality_and_Quantum_Theory_1918-1927_Adaptation_by_German_Physicists_and_Mathematicians_to_a_Hostile_Intellectual_Environment].
3. Kohn, D. (1989) “Darwin's Ambiguity: The Secularization of Biological Meaning”. The British Journal for the History of Science 22(02): 215 - 239 [on-line: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231945646_Darwin's_Ambiguity_The_Secularization_of_Biological_Meaning].
4. Levit, G. S., Hossfeld, U., “Major Research Traditions in Twentieth-Century Evolutionary Biology”, in: R. G. Delisle (ed) (2017) The Darwinian Tradition in Context, Cham: Springer [on-line: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322142549_Major_Research_Traditions_in_Twentieth-Century_Evolutionary_Biology_The_Relations_of_Germany's_Darwinism_with_Them].
Additional reading:
1. Navarro, J., Tampakis, K., (2023) Science, Religion and Nationalism. Local Perceptions and Global Historiographies, Nowy York; Routledge (selected excerpts).
2. Psillos S., Curd, M. (2010) The Routledge Companion To Philosophy Of Science, London, New York: Routledge.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: