Back to Philosophy of Science
University of Pennsylvania

Philosophy of Science

For the last four centuries, scientists have aimed to provide us with an understanding of the world around us. By all appearances, science has made substantial progress during this time. But is this progress real or illusory? And if it is real, how has this progress been made? This four-week course will consider these important questions. Specific topics will include how scientists generate knowledge through observations, experiments, and simulations; scientific objectivity and failures of scientific objectivity; the self-correcting nature of the scientific community; the positive and negative influences that values can have on science; the relationship between science and religion; and the role of the public in guiding the scientific enterprise.

Status: Research Methodologies
Status: Science and Research
IntermediateCourse12 hours

Featured reviews

JG

5.0Reviewed Apr 14, 2020

Really nice and well-explained Course. I really enjoyed the information and activities. Gave me new ideas about how to think and plan my teaching.

MA

4.0Reviewed Nov 16, 2020

Enjoyed doing the course and certainly have learned a few principles related to the Philosophy of Science.

MP

4.0Reviewed Oct 4, 2022

I​ enjoyed this course very much, learning new concepts from a discipline I was a beginner. I am looking forward to know more!!

RP

5.0Reviewed Jun 7, 2020

Quite neatly put together. The professor is a great speaker and is neutral in presenting the views. This is a must take for all budding researchers!

MM

5.0Reviewed Jan 16, 2022

I enjoyed this course, BUT I have completed it. And no, I didn't do assignments and there was nowhere where I could tick completed.

PE

5.0Reviewed Feb 23, 2020

Help me to go back to my philosophy course as undergrad. This is a remind of critical thinking and how do you examine science and its contents. Great course

RC

5.0Reviewed Jul 8, 2020

It was great session. I enjoyed and learned a lot. Kindly share some more science andvart integrated course. English proficiency and writing skills course also.

BJ

4.0Reviewed Jul 10, 2020

Gives clear insight into "What science is... and how it is done by scientists", if you have a tendency to criticize the scientific methods, I would recommend this course.

VF

4.0Reviewed Oct 19, 2020

a good course for undergrad students, well put together and entertaining.

T

5.0Reviewed Dec 29, 2020

Fantastic introduction into philosophy of science by Prof. Weisberg! Would love to see a part II of this course.

EA

5.0Reviewed May 3, 2020

Although this was first first course done with this system I felt it was done extremely well. Interaction with other students was made simple.

SB

5.0Reviewed Feb 19, 2020

Interesting information, well presented. The course gave me new ways of looking at scientific studies and research that will, I believe, make me a more sophisticated consumer of science reporting.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 81

Fred Vacelet
2.0
Reviewed Jul 17, 2020
Anderson M. Winkler
1.0
Reviewed Jul 16, 2021
Padma Edirisinghe
5.0
Reviewed Feb 24, 2020
Dinesh Raj Bhuju
5.0
Reviewed Feb 4, 2021
Oishee Banerjee
5.0
Reviewed Apr 29, 2020
Eliza Mosurick
5.0
Reviewed Feb 28, 2020
Jeff Hurok
5.0
Reviewed Feb 29, 2020
Jason Stehly
5.0
Reviewed Jun 17, 2020
JodiLynne Steiner
5.0
Reviewed Feb 26, 2020
Romika Chadha
5.0
Reviewed Jul 9, 2020
Rohit Pant
5.0
Reviewed Jun 8, 2020
José Gamaliel Castañeda Gaytán
5.0
Reviewed Apr 15, 2020
Marco Machado
5.0
Reviewed Jan 27, 2026
Lauri Elsilä
4.0
Reviewed Jul 20, 2020
Sophie Aarts
4.0
Reviewed May 16, 2020
Rohit Pyngottu Jacob
3.0
Reviewed Jun 22, 2021
Trenton Gin
5.0
Reviewed Jan 13, 2021
Nandakumar Mani
5.0
Reviewed May 15, 2022
THOMAS KAROL
5.0
Reviewed Feb 25, 2020
Mary D Kracun
5.0
Reviewed Aug 27, 2020