General Methodology of Science WF-FI-N112-OMN
The philosophy of science is a philosophical discipline that analyses science and its methodology, as well as their place in a broader historical and social context. During the lecture, we will explore the basic issues and concepts of the philosophy of science, as well as their development throughout history. We will pay particular attention to how cultural and social changes and developments in the natural sciences have influenced the philosophical understanding of science and its methods.
The lecture is divided into three parts. In the first part, we will present the basics of scientific methodology to enable students to freely use specialist terminology. The second part is devoted to classical philosophy of science – we will discuss the main concepts of proper scientific work and the boundaries between science and pseudoscience. In the third part, we will focus on the ‘new wave’ of philosophy of science, which treats science as a cultural activity and seeks to understand its specific historical development.
The aim of the lecture is to familiarise students with the full spectrum of philosophical reflections on science, from methodology, through metatheoretical issues, to the historical and philosophical context of the development of science.
The exercises extend and supplement the topics covered in the lecture. They consist of discussions of designated texts and other materials related to the philosophy of science and research methodology. During the classes, students formulate and jointly analyse key issues related to theory and methodological practice.
The aim of the exercises is to familiarise students with the most important issues in the philosophy of science, including the specifics of the philosophy of natural science, and to develop their ability to independently analyse scientific texts, summarise authors' positions and formulate their own conclusions and assessments. Students will learn to analyse texts by the most important philosophers of science on how to treat old scientific theories and the general approach to the history of science, as well as to interpret arguments and positions in a broader philosophical and methodological context.
The course aims to stimulate interest in the critical reading of philosophical and scientific texts and to develop the competences necessary for methodological reflection.
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Term 2023/24_L:
None |
Term 2024/25_Z:
The lectures provide a presentation of the basic issues and concepts in the philosophy of science and present them in a broader historical context. Discussing these issues in a historical context will allow students to understand how philosophical reflection on science and scientific methodology has developed. It will also allow them to indicate how philosophers concerned with scientific methodology have been influenced by cultural and social changes, as well as changes in natural science itself. In order to facilitate students' understanding of the topics discussed, the lecture has been divided into three parts. The first part will deal with the discussion and presentation of the basics of the methodology of science, so that students can use its terminology freely and with understanding. Mastering the knowledge from the first part will be the starting point for the second part, which will present in chronological order the main concepts of classical philosophy of science, focusing on defining the methods of correct scientific work and creating a demarcation line separating science from pseudoscience. The third part of the lecture will present the concepts of the ‘new wave’ philosophy of science, which focuses on science as a specific cultural activity and tries to understand the specifics of its historical development. In the course of the lectures, students will be introduced to a full cross-section of issues related to the philosophical reflection on science, ranging from methodology to meta-scientific issues to reflections on the history and philosophy of science. During the exercises, students will read and discuss articles on selected problems and issues in contemporary philosophy of science. |
Term 2025/26_Z:
The lectures provide a presentation of the basic issues and concepts in the philosophy of science and present them in a broader historical context. Discussing these issues in a historical context will allow students to understand how philosophical reflection on science and scientific methodology has developed. It will also allow them to indicate how philosophers concerned with scientific methodology have been influenced by cultural and social changes, as well as changes in natural science itself. In order to facilitate students' understanding of the topics discussed, the lecture has been divided into three parts. The first part will deal with the discussion and presentation of the basics of the methodology of science, so that students can use its terminology freely and with understanding. Mastering the knowledge from the first part will be the starting point for the second part, which will present in chronological order the main concepts of classical philosophy of science, focusing on defining the methods of correct scientific work and creating a demarcation line separating science from pseudoscience. The third part of the lecture will present the concepts of the ‘new wave’ philosophy of science, which focuses on science as a specific cultural activity and tries to understand the specifics of its historical development. In the course of the lectures, students will be introduced to a full cross-section of issues related to the philosophical reflection on science, ranging from methodology to meta-scientific issues to reflections on the history and philosophy of science. During the exercises, students will read and discuss articles on selected problems and issues in contemporary philosophy of science. |
(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
Course coordinators
Term 2021/22_L: | Term 2022/23_L: | Term 2024/25_Z: | Term 2023/24_L: | Term 2025/26_Z: |
Learning outcomes
Graduate… (knows and understands / is able to / is ready to)
FI1_W02: presents historical and contemporary models of the relationship between science and society, analyzing the functioning of norms regulating scientific institutions (e.g., the university, research grants).
FI1_W10: explains the differences and connections between scientific, philosophical, and everyday cognition, indicating the specificity of scientific methods and their philosophical foundations.
FI1_U06: formulates a philosophical problem concerning science (e.g., the limits of falsification, the status of scientific theory, the problem…).
FI1_U09: under the supervision of the instructor, prepares and presents the structure of a mini-research project (e.g., logical justification of a hypothesis, methodological framework of the study).
FI1_U02: reads and interprets passages from classical methodological texts (e.g., Popper, Kuhn, Feyerabend), correctly applying the terminology (e.g., falsification, paradigm, normal science).
FI1_K04: applies the principles of intellectual honesty in working with both others’ and own texts, identifies cases of unethical behavior in science, and analyzes their consequences.
Methods of verification of learning outcomes:
Class discussion; oral exam
Text analysis, group project
Assessment criteria
Lecture
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE EXAM:
Attendance — a maximum of 2 absences is allowed (more = no admission)
Passing the classes in General Methodology of Science
The final grade consists of:
1. Participation in discussions and preparation of questions — max. 5 points
The student formulates 5 problem-oriented questions during the semester (1 point each).
Criteria for evaluating a question (0–1 point):
The question refers to the discussed issue in the philosophy of science
The question demonstrates understanding of the problem or a substantive doubt
The question is formulated clearly and precisely
Questions may be asked:
Orally during the lecture (and recorded by the instructor)
In writing on the platform / by email before class
During office hours (and noted)
2. Oral exam — max. 15 points
Form: Oral exam (20–25 minutes)
The student draws 3 questions from a pool covering all lecture topics.
Exam evaluation criteria (0–15 points):
3–5 points — PASS (20–33%)
The student knows the basic concepts and theories discussed in the course and can address selected issues, but cannot relate them to the historical context or to the thinkers who developed them. Answers are fragmentary; no synthesis.
6–8 points — PASS PLUS (40–53%)
The student correctly identifies and discusses some problems of the philosophy of science in connection with selected historical examples, though interpretations are partial. Can discuss selected positions but has difficulty comparing them.
9–11 points — GOOD (60–73%)
The student can identify and explain connections between problems in the philosophy of science and the methodology of science, correctly interprets the issues discussed, and relates them to historical context. Compares different positions well (e.g., Popper vs. Kuhn).
12–13 points — GOOD PLUS (80–87%)
The student is well oriented in the issues of the philosophy of science, accurately situates problems in historical and methodological contexts, and can formulate coherent, well-justified positions. Demonstrates understanding of the evolution of philosophical thought about science.
14–15 points — VERY GOOD (93–100%)
The student is very well oriented in the philosophy of science, skillfully combines philosophical analysis with historical context, critically discusses issues, and precisely justifies their own position. Demonstrates deep understanding of debates and their implications.
TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE: 20
PASSING REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum 10 points total (50%)
Minimum 6 points from the oral exam (40% of 15 points)
Final grade scale:
0–9 points (0–45%) — 2.0 (fail)
10–11 points (50–55%) — 3.0 (pass)
12–13 points (60–65%) — 3.5 (pass plus)
14–15 points (70–75%) — 4.0 (good)
16–17 points (80–85%) — 4.5 (good plus)
18–20 points (90–100%) — 5.0 (very good)
Classes (Exercises)
REQUIREMENT FOR PASSING:
Attendance — a maximum of 2 absences is allowed (more = no pass)
The final grade consists of (weighted average):
1. Discussion of a classic text in the philosophy of science — presentation (weight: 1/3)
Form:
The student selects one of the classic texts discussed in class and prepares a presentation.
Presentation structure:
Historical and biographical context of the author (2 min)
Main theses and arguments of the text (5–7 min)
Key concepts and their definitions (2–3 min)
Significance for the philosophy of science and contemporary implications (2–3 min)
Questions for discussion (2 min)
Time: 15 minutes presentation + 5 minutes discussion
Date: November (schedule determined in class)
Evaluation criteria:
Understanding of the text and the author’s main theses (30%)
Correct use of methodological terminology (25%)
Quality of analysis and interpretation (25%)
Presentation form and moderation of discussion (20%)
Grading scale:
5.0 — fully correct (100%)
4.5 — correct >90%
4.0 — correct 80–90%
3.5 — correct 70–80%
3.0 — correct 60–70%
2.0 — below 60% or missing
2. Participation in discussions of texts (weight: 1/6)
Form:
Regular participation in class discussions (7 discussion sessions)
Each session = text analysis + problem-oriented discussion
Semester evaluation criteria:
Preparation (reading the text before class)
Activity (asking questions, substantive comments)
Quality of contributions (reference to the text, use of terminology)
Final activity grade:
5.0 — regular participation in all classes, high-quality contributions
4.5 — participation in most classes, good contributions
4.0 — participation in about half of the classes, correct contributions
3.5 — sporadic participation, basic contributions
3.0 — minimal participation
2.0 — no participation
3. Group project — methodological mini-project (weight: 1/2)
Form:
Groups of 3–4 students prepare a mini research project in the methodology of science.
Project components:
Project plan and division of roles (consultation with instructor, mid-semester)
Group presentation (20–25 min, January)
Written report (10–15 pages, due by January 31)
Report structure:
Introduction and research objective (1–2 pages)
Description of the methodology of analysis (2–3 pages)
Analysis of material (4–6 pages)
Conclusions and implications for the philosophy of science (2–3 pages)
Bibliography
Project evaluation criteria:
Application of concepts and theories from the philosophy of science (30%)
Quality of methodological analysis (30%)
Originality and depth (20%)
Group collaboration and presentation (10%)
Report form (bibliography, structure, language) (10%)
Grading scale:
5.0 — fully correct project (100%)
4.5 — correctness >90%
4.0 — correctness 80–90%
3.5 — correctness 70–80%
3.0 — correctness 60–70%
2.0 — below 60% or missing
CALCULATION OF THE FINAL GRADE:
Final grade = (Presentation × 1 + Activity × 0.5 + Project × 2) / 3.5
Simplified proportions:
Text presentation: ~29%
Activity: ~14%
Group project: ~57%
Rounding rules:
4.75–5.0 → 5.0
4.25–4.74 → 4.5
3.75–4.24 → 4.0
3.25–3.74 → 3.5
2.75–3.24 → 3.0
Below 2.75 → 2.0
NOTE: To pass the course, the student must obtain at least 3.0 in each component (presentation, activity, project).
Bibliography
Required reading
1. Sady, W. (2000). Spór o racjonalność naukową [The dispute over scientific rationality], Wrocław: Wydawnictwo Funna.
2. Such, J., Szcześniak, M. (2000) Filozofia nauki [Philosophy of science], Poznań: Wydawnictwo naukowe UAM.
Supplementary reading
1. Psillos, S., Curd, M. (eds.) (2013). The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science, London; New York: Routledge.
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Term 2023/24_L:
None |
Term 2024/25_Z:
Sady W., Spór o racjonalność naukową, Wydawnictwo UMK, 2013 Additional literature |
Term 2025/26_Z:
Sady W., Spór o racjonalność naukową, Wydawnictwo UMK, 2013 Additional literature |
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: