NWI-FFIL214
Science and Metaphysics
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleNWI-FFIL214
Credits (ECTS)3
CategoryMA (Master)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Science; Institute for Science, Innovation and Society;
Lecturer(s)
Lecturer
prof. dr. H.W. de Regt
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
dr. J.G. Zwier
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. J.G. Zwier
Other course modules lecturer
Coordinator
dr. J.G. Zwier
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
dr. J.G. Zwier
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2018
Period
KW2  (05/11/2018 to 27/01/2019)
Starting block
KW2
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims

Students will acquire the ability to:

  • articulate and reflect on the tacit metaphysics embedded in scientific research, i.e. the views of nature and human existence produced by scientific research as part of the scientific world view
  • to critically assess this implicit worldview in terms of fascination and concern
  • to analyse and assess key publications written by prominent contemporary scientists (such as Venter and Church) in terms of the implicit metaphysics at work in these documents
Content
Contemporary science entails (implicitly or explicitly) a world view, a basic understanding of nature, life, matter and human existence. In other words, scientific research challenges the way we see our world as well as ourselves on a very fundamental level. The outcomes of scientific research have implications for our world-view, our basic understanding of nature, that cannot be ignored.
This notably applies to current large-scale research programmes concerning the basic structure, dynamics and constituents of life and matter. The objective of the course is the articulate, assess and challenge these basic meta-scientific / meta-physical views that are inherent in contemporary research practices. Topics:
  1. The worldviews and visions of nature inherent in contemporary science
  2. The implications of contemporary science for how we see ourselves as human beings
  3. Notably: the implications of science for our understanding of the relationship between humans and animals, between human existence and life in general
  4. The impact of science and technology on the history of life and the future of our world
Special attention will be given to scientists who played an active role in the dialogue between science and metaphysics, from Erwin Schrödinger up to contemporary scientists such as Craig Venter and George Church who not only display an intense interest in the dialogue between science, philosophy and society, but who also convey quite outspoken and controversial views about the vision of nature and life propagated by contemporary research.
This year, we will especially focus on synthetic biology as a converging, emerging and enabling field.Specific items (what is life?, synthetic cells, industrial microbes, transporting life to other planets / terraforming Mars, post-evolution)
Topics
• Emerging life sciences
• Synthetic biology
• Scientific imagination
• Promise management
• Complexity and reductionism
• Biotechnology
• Philosophical anthropology
• Philosophy of Biology

Test information
Participants will be invited to write a paper on one of the topics addressed in the context of the course

Prerequisites
Introductory course in Philosophy for Science Students on the Bachelor level

Required materials
Book
Several options, including: • George Church, Ed Regis (2012) Regenesis • Craig Venter (2013) Life at the speed of light

Instructional modes
Lecture
Attendance MandatoryYes

Presentation
Attendance MandatoryYes

Project
Attendance MandatoryYes

Zelfstudie

Tests
Tentamen
Test weight1
OpportunitiesBlock KW2, Block KW3