Minor in History and Philosophy of Science
"I fully agree with you about the significance and educational value of ... history and philosophy of science. So many people today—and even professional scientists—seem to me like someone who has seen thousands of trees but has never seen a forest. A knowledge of the historic and philosophical background gives that kind of independence from prejudices of his generation from which most scientists are suffering." (Albert Einstein, 1944.)
What is science?
When people ponder this question, they are often led to seek answers outside the sciences themselves. This interdisciplinary minor is planned to help students address historical and philosophical questions about science. In the history of science, we ask: How did we come to hold the beliefs we do about the natural world? How were the great scientists of the past led to the discoveries for which they are remembered? Why did people in the past have very different ideas on issues like the motions of the heavens or the nature of the human body? It is a puzzling reality of world history that the human understanding of nature, society, and the mind has varied greatly with place and time. This intriguing variety also raises philosophical questions: What separates science from pseudoscience or religion? How can we decide whether scientific knowledge will have good or bad consequences for humanity? Can science ever reach the ultimate truth about the universe?
The minor in History and Philosophy of Science offers courses in such diverse departments as economics, history, mathematics, philosophy, and psychology. It presupposes no specialized scientific background and may be combined with any undergraduate major. Five 4-credit courses are required for the minor, with no more than three from any single department.
Students interested in taking the minor should contact the coordinator, Jan Golinski, Department of History, Horton Social Science Center. Phone 862-3789. Email: jan.golinski@unh.edu
HIST 622
History of American Thought.
E. Fitzpatrick. M W 3:10-4:30. Hort 307.
PHIL 424
Science, Technology, and Society
V. Dusek. M W F 10.10-11.00. Ham Smith 42.
PHIL 435
Human Nature and Evolution
V. Dusek. M W F 11.10-12.00. Ham Smith 42.
PHIL
447
Computer Power and Human Reason
P. McNamara. T R 5:40-7:00. Ham Smith 18.
PSYC 571 Pioneers
of Psychology
W.
Woodward. M W 12:40-2:00. Ham Smith 129.
PSYC 741
Reshaping People: A History
B. Harris. T R 11:10-12:30. Morrill 103.
PSYC 775
Madness in America
B. Harris. W 1.10-4:00. Conant 123.
ECON 615
History of Economic Thought
ECON 698
Topics in Economics*
ECON 798
Economic Problems*
HIST 521
The Origins of Modern Science
HIST 522
Science in the Modern World
HIST 523
Introduction to the History of Science
HIST 621, 622
History of American Thought
HIST 651, 652
European Intellectual History
HIST 654
Topics in History of Science
HUMA 651
Humanities and Science: The Nature of Scientific Creativity
MATH 419
Evolution of Mathematics
PHIL 424
Science, Technology, and Society
PHIL 630
Philosophy of the Natural Sciences
PHIL 683
Technology: Philosophical and Ethical Issues
PHIL 725
Philosophy of the Social Sciences
PHIL 780
Special Topics in Philosophy*
PSYC 571
The Great Psychologists
PSYC 591
Special Topics in Psychology*
PSYC 770
History of Psychology
PSYC 771
Psychology in 20th-Century Thought and Society
*with approval of the coordinator.