introduction: philosophy of science

Philosophy of Science

• What is truth? • How do we search for the truth? • Are we able to find the truth?

Objects of the course

a basic understanding of– the philosophy of science – the background of scientific theory

Course structure

• The course consists of 17 units • 3 parts: – General philosophy of science– Four main paradigms of social sciences– Organizational sciences

Assignments and assessment

• Reading the assigned literature and participating in class

• 3 case studies (10% each)• Discussion (10%)• Take home exam including a case study (60%)• You have to have at least a 5.5 on the take

home exam in order to pass.

Four paradigms

Empiricism

Interpretative theory

Critical theory Postmodernism

4paradigms

• Empiricism: a theory of knowledge which asserts that knowledge is gained through experience

• Interpretative theory: a theory of knowledge which aims at understanding rather than fact gathering

• Critical theory: theories aimed at both understanding (knowledge)and critiquing society

• Postmodernism: postmodern thinkers question the idea of a single truth