PHIL 2151 Philosophical Perspectives on Science II
Continued Course. Part II. This course is an examination of the scientific enterprise with the tools of modern analytic philosophy. Topics include the structure of a scientific theory, evidence and knowledge in science, the nature of scientific explanations, and the role of values in science. As paradigmatic examples, we will explore major breakthroughs by Archimedes, Newton, Darwin, and Einstein. Open to science and pre-med majors.
Course overview
- Department
- Philosophy
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically in the Fall, Periodically in the Spring
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- Must have taken Perspectives I (Perspectives on Western Culture) or Permission of Department
- Satisfies core
- Philosophy
Requirements fulfilled
- Philosophy: Free Philosophy electives (five courses, 15 credits); up to two approved cognate courses in other departments may also count (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Philosophy: History of Philosophy distribution (one course) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality distribution (one course) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Philosophy: Two Core courses in Philosophy (6 credits): one of the approved Philosophy Core sequences (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- University Core: Philosophy (All undergraduates)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.60 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.71 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 5
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Marius Stan | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.5 | ≤ 1 hr/week | 8 of 10 |
| Spring 2025 | Marius Stan | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 9 of 11 |
| Spring 2024 | Marius Stan | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 18 of 22 |
| Spring 2023 | Marius Stan | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 1–3 hrs/week | 14 of 16 |
| Spring 2022 | Marius Stan | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.8 | — | 11 of 21 |