Basic issues of the philosophy of biology WF-FI-123-PPSFP-W21
The main aim of the course is to present the most important issues undertaken by contemporary philosophers of biology in a cross-sectional way. The issues discussed during the classes will raise issues on three levels of considerations.
The first level touches on biology as a specific science. As part of the topics covered in this regard, the following issues will be considered: how has biology developed as a field of science? How does it differ from other sciences? What is its methodology? What kind of language does it use to describe the phenomena?
The second level will address issues related to specific sub-disciplines of biology, such as taxonomy, genetics, or evolutionary biology. This topic will include questions such as: What is a gene? What is natural selection? What is an ecosystem? What is biological information?
The third level will deal with topics related to the socio-cultural status of biology and its relationship with other scientific disciplines. Therefore, issues relating to the biology-religion relationship, the use of biological theories in social sciences, psychology, and philosophy will be discussed.
(in Polish) E-Learning
Subject level
Learning outcome code/codes
Type of subject
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Educational outcomes:
ECTS [1 ECTS = 30 (25) hours]:
- participation in the lecture: 30 hrs.
- participation in exercises: 15 hours
- preparation for classes - reading texts: 0-30 hours.
- preparation of written work: 0-45
- preparation to the final exam: 15-30 hours
Total of hours (on average): 150 [150/30 (25) = 5]
Number of ECTS: 5
Assessment criteria
The main methods will be a problem lecture and a seminar lecture.
The lecture will end with an oral exam - the final grade will depend on its result. The prerequisite for taking the exam is passing the exercises
Knowledge:
- 2 (Ndst ..): The student does not know the basic terms, concepts and theories discussed during the course
- 3 (dst.): The student knows the basic concepts and theories related to the philosophy of biology, but is unable to discuss these issues in detail
- 4 (db.): The student identifies and discusses correctly selected issues in the field of philosophy and the history of biology
- 5 (very good): The student knows the problems of the philosophy of biology on three levels discussed during the lecture
Skills
- 2 (ndst ..): The student is not able to interpret and compare the main problems in the field of philosophy and biology
- 3 (dst.): The student is able to talk about some issues related to the philosophy of biology, but is not able to connect them with the historical period in which they were created, or to thinkers dealing with these issues
- 4 (db.): The student is able to correctly explain the basic issues raised in contemporary discussions in the philosophy of biology
- 5 (very good): The student is able to critically discuss the issues raised during the lecture and correctly justify his or her position
Competences:
The student is aware of the philosophical issues related to biology. Understands its specificity from the perspective of the philosophy of science. He or She is able to recognize the relationship between biology with other scientific disciplines and understands its importance for contemporary culture. The student understands the philosophical issues raised in the context of specific sub-disciplines of biology.
Details will be given during the course.
Bibliography
1. A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology, ed. S. Sarkar, A. Plutynski, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Oxford, Victoria 2008
2. Główne problemy filozofii biologii, red. K. Chodasiewicz, A. Grabizna, A Proszewska, A. Stencel, A. Ziemny, IFIS PAN, Warszawa 2017
Additional Literature:
1. The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Darwin and evolutionary thought, ed. M. Ruse, Cambridge University 2013
Press, New York
2. The Darwinian tradition in Context. Research Programs in Evolutionary Biology, Lethbridge, Canada 2017
3. Okasha S., Philosophy of Biology. A very short introduction, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2019
4. Sturtevant A. H. A history of genetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York 2000
5. Urbanek A. Scientific revolution in biology, Wiedza Powszechna, Warsaw 1973
6. Wagner, M. J. Interpretations of the development of evolutionary biology at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Warsaw, Liberi Libr 2020.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: