Open Educational Resources
Document Type
Syllabus
Publication Date
Spring 5-20-2025
Abstract
This course explores the philosophy of science via a consideration of Indigenous ways of knowing. We begin by covering some major topics in philosophy of science—e.g., how to distinguish between science and pseudoscience, whether social and ethical values play a role in science, and others—and then we turn to the rich, place-based epistemologies of various Indigenous communities, examining how their worldviews, practices, and values offer unique perspectives on environmental stewardship, sustainability, and resilience.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Synthesize information offered in a philosophical text, determine the author’s perspective & conclusion(s), and evaluate the support offered for the conclusion
- Explain the concepts of scientific pluralism, incommensurability, objectivity, the demarcation problem, and standpoint epistemology
- Describe some indigenous ways of knowing—e.g., from Inuit and Māori traditions—and be able characterize the differences between local-knowledge and Western scientific knowledge
- Entertain positions you do not hold and treat them seriously and charitably
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
PHIL 225_In class worksheets.zip (121 kB)
PHIL 225_Debate.zip (28 kB)
Philosophy 225 syllabus_updated 3-5-25(1).docx (39 kB)
PHIL 225_Debate.zip (28 kB)
Philosophy 225 syllabus_updated 3-5-25(1).docx (39 kB)
Comments
This is a special topics version of PHIL 225 (Philosophy of Natural Sciences).