Philosophy of science and technology [LPHIB213]

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- use and reconstruct some fundamental concepts of the philosophy of science and technology (logocentrism, original supplement, the great divide, situated knowledge, associated environment, etc.).
- understand and describe the different conceptions of technology and science covered in the course (technology as an imitation of nature, as an extension of the body, as a discourse on the world; science as representation or intervention, etc.).
- take a critical look at technology and science, i.e. ask ontological, epistemological and anthropological questions about them.

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide students with a kit of concepts that can be used to question both old and new sciences, techniques and technologies. The course successively presents three or four "cases", varying from year to year, which have raised philosophical questions (the alphabet, the map, the microscope, the thermometer...). The method of case studies both indicates where the philosophical problems come from and shows their relevance in situ.

Content

See table of contents.

Table of contents

Chapter 1: A new course (on the singularity of the philosophy of science and technology); Chapter 2: Taking the temperature (on the thermometer); Chapter 3: Learning the ABCs (on writing as a technique); Chapter 4: Touching the invisible (on the microscope and the telescope).

Exercises description

Given in class.