Why Trust Science? (PHIL2090)
Information valid for Semester 2, 2025
Course level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
School
Historical & Philosophical Inq
Units
2
Duration
One Semester
Attendance mode
In Person
Class hours
General contact hours 3 Hours/ Week
Recommended prerequisite
PHIL1002 or SCIE1000
Assessment methods
A combination of online quizzes, tutorial participation, Mid-Semester Essay and Final Essay
Course enquiries
Doctor Peter Evans (Semester 2, St Lucia, In person)
Current course offerings
Course offerings | Location | Mode | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025) | St Lucia | In Person | Profile unavailable |
Please Note: Course profiles marked as not available may still be in development.
Course description
Modern science emerged in the seventeenth century, deepening our understanding of our place in the world by means of theories that offered comprehensive explanations of how nature works. But what exactly is 'science'? From where does science gain its authority? And why should we trust science at all? This is a course for scientifically minded philosophers and philosophically minded scientists (and everyone in between!) that explores topics such as the methodology, and historical development, of contemporary scientific practice, scientific values and biases, and the interface between science and society.
Archived offerings
Course offerings | Location | Mode | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024) | St Lucia | In Person | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2023 (24/07/2023 - 18/11/2023) | St Lucia | In Person | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2022 (25/07/2022 - 19/11/2022) | St Lucia | Internal | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2021 (26/07/2021 - 20/11/2021) | St Lucia | Internal | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2019 (22/07/2019 - 16/11/2019) | St Lucia | Internal | Course Profile |
Semester 1, 2018 (19/02/2018 - 23/06/2018) | St Lucia | Internal | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2016 (25/07/2016 - 19/11/2016) | St Lucia | Internal | Course Profile |