Philosophy of Science: Foundational Topics

This course deals with the most important questions that have been raised within philosophy of science since the beginning of the 20th century. The course conveys a basic knowledge of philosophical problems that are prompted by science, as well as some of the most influential proposals to resolve them.

Note! The content of this course overlaps to a very large extent with the content of the course Philosophy of Science I (7.5 credits), which was last offered in Spring 2026. If you have already received a grade for Philosophy of Science I, you are advised not to apply for this course, as you cannot count both towards a degree.

Registration
Well in advance of the start of the course, an email will be sent to all admitted students with information and instructions. Admitted students are expected to register themselves (online registration).

More about the course: How does scientific inference work? How are scientific theories supported by empirical evidence? How and to what degree is empiricism theory dependent? How do scientific theories develop over time? What is a scientific explanation? What is a natural law? What is a causal relationship? What is actually described by a scientific theory?
The course content is particularly suitable for students who either have at least one semester of studies in theoretical philosophy, or at least one semester of university studies in a scientific discipline, behind them.

For further description: see the detailed course planning to be posted on Canvas. 

Learning platform: Reading instructions, detailed course planning, etc. will be posted on the course's Canvas page. Admitted students who have activated their student account and have been registered for the course will automatically become participants on the course's Canvas page.

Teacher and examiner autumn semester 2026: Siska De Baerdemaeker

Language of instruction autumn semester 2026: English

For other information about the course (teaching method, expected study results, attendance requirements, examination method, grading scale, etc.), see the course syllabus.

The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Course reports are displayed for the three most recent course instances.

Director of studies Mattias Högström mattias.hogstrom@philosophy.su.se

Student councelling studievagledning@philosophy.su.se

Teacher Siska De Baerdemaeker siska.debaerdemaeker@philosophy.su.se

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