Why Study History and Philosophy of Science?
History and Philosophy of Science subjects are both intrinsically interesting and vocationally valuable. There are people everywhere - in business, in the Law and medicine, in research, in government, in education - who will tell you that the History and Philosophy of Science they studied at university, has turned out to be some of the most valuable courses they did. Read comments from some of our undergraduate student (55kb pdf)
History and Philosophy of Science changes the way you think about the world - and about the science, medicine and technology that pervade almost every part of modern life. It tackles questions like:
- Does science tell us the Truth about Reality? If so, why do scientific theories change while Reality doesn't? Anyway, is there such a thing as Reality?
- How do science, technology and society interact with one another, at different times, in different places, and on different issues?
- Do scientists have special moral obligations?
- What are the effects of Gene Technology on society? Should we be worried?
- Why in the 17th century did much of Western Europe accept the very odd theory that the Earth is moving very fast around the Sun?
- How has the natural world - the environment and its biota - shaped the course of human history? And how have we refashioned the natural world to our own ends?
- Is social change driven by technological change?
- If science seems to contradict someone's religious beliefs, what should they do? How did deeply religious 19th century people deal with the rise of Darwinism? How do religious people today deal with current physics and cosmology?
- How has science changed ideas about the mind and madness?
- Are mobile phones redefining intimacy?
History and Philosophy of Science is for students who find such questions interesting and important - people who are 'interested in almost everything'.
Related Links
- Completing a Major in History and Philosophy of Science (Undergraduate Handbook)
- First Year subjects
- Second/Third Year subjects