PHIL 271: How Science Works

PHIL 271-001: How Science Works
(Fall 2025)

10:30 AM to 11:45 AM MW

Innovation Hall 209

Section Information for Fall 2025

PHIL 271 - 001: How Science Works

This course provides a general introduction to the philosophy of science—the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of science. It explores what science is, how it works, and why it is so successful. Some of the questions that will be examined include: How are scientific claims justified? How does scientific understanding change over time? What constitutes a good explanation? How do we know if our scientific theories are true? What roles do social, political, and cultural factors play in the generation of scientific knowledge? The course also considers how the field of philosophy of science itself has developed over the past century, and where the field is likely to go in the future.

Besides attending to these core issues in the philosophy of science, this course looks at how the authority of science has sometimes been abused for financial and political reasons, before closing by reflecting on what the history of science can teach us about the nature of science.

No prior knowledge of science or philosophy is required to take this course, so none will be assumed.

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Introduction to the philosophy of science that examines a range of questions about what science is, how it works, and how it manages to be as successful as it is. Explores the goals, methods, principles and practices that characterize scientific enquiry. Surveys major milestones in the philosophy of science, and addresses such questions as: How are scientific claims justified? What constitutes a good explanation? How do we know if our scientific theories are true? How does scientific understanding change over time? What roles do social, political, and cultural factors play in the generation of scientific knowledge? Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Natural Science Overview
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.