Philosophy 220: Philosophy and the Sciences. 4cr (Z-I). P So st.

What distinguishes science and pseudo-science, astrology from astronomy, the biblical story of creation from evolutionary theory? What does science actually achieve, as opposed to what we expect science to achieve? Is it possible to do science in a value-neutral way? Is there cultural or gender bias in sciences like sociobiology? What role does simplicity play in science, and what role should it play? What is the role of observation play in science? Is observation objective, or do scientists see what they expect to see? Do we see through a microscope, for example, or do we infer what is there based on assumptions? This course aims to promote an interest in science and an understanding of its methods by examining these questions in the context of specific examples. The examples will be presented with the aid of multimedia computer technology.