Teaching code

4S001388

Credits

6

Coordinator

Massimiliano Badino

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

Courses Single

Authorized

Moodle Seminars 0

The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning objectives

Logic and Philosophy of Science
The course of Logic and Philosophy of Science aims to provide students with the knowledge of scientific thought and methodology of scientific research, in the wider context of Western philosophical tradition and its main conceptual lines, in particular within contemporary philosophical debate. At the end of the course, students will develop the following abilities: logical competences, reasoning, and solution to problems; capacity to comprehend philosophical texts; capacity to autonomously shape critical assessments on the topics taught during the course; capacity to communicate philosophical contents to specialists and non-specialists alike, and to continue their studies at a MA level; learning a correct modality of scientific writing and/or writing their dissertation.

Prerequisites and basic notions

A cursory knowledge of some key concepts of philosophy is required
Although we will deal with concepts from logic, math, and computer science, the course does not require any previous knowledge of these disciplines. To facilitate the learning process of the conceptually most demanding sections, video tutorial will be provided.

Program

The Logic and Philosophy of Science course aims to provide an introduction to some epistemological and metaphysical problems of the philosophical tradition of the twentieth century, with particular attention to their influence on the current debate.
This year, the course is dedicated to conceptions of the mind from Descartes to artificial intelligence. In addition to the epistemological, metaphysical, and ontological issues raised by this problem, the ethical and social implications of artificial forms of cognition will be discussed. The main themes of the course are as follows:
- From symbolic mind to the emergence of modern computability theory
- Philosophy of mind and cognitive sciences
- Science and society
- The ethical, social, and political problems of artificial intelligence
The guiding questions for the course are:
- How should we interpret the mind and cognition?
- What connection exists between mind and brain?
- How does the mind relate to culture and artifacts?
- How did modern artificial intelligence emerge?
- What is the relationship between human and artificial cognitive agents?
- What ethical and political problems do algorithms and their application to everyday life generate?
The course also includes two laboratories:
- Focus Laboratory dedicated to non-technical in-depth exploration of the functioning of artificial intelligence.
- Tricks of the Trade Laboratory focused on argumentative writing with particular attention to the thesis.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The course will be taught using two main teaching methods: (1) lectures, (2) interactive laboratory. Classes will be in person without streaming or recording. Students will find videos dedicated to (1) explaining the exam procedures and (2) developing some parts of the courses and the key concepts. Although these videos are meant to help non-attending students to prepare for the exam, they can be used by attending students as well.

Learning assessment procedures

The final evaluation aims at assessing students’ knowledge as well as their capacity to argue correctly, use properly concepts and tools of philosophy of science and their creativity. The final grade depends on the active participation to the laboratories, the assignment (2000-5000 words) on a relevant topic to be decided with the instructor, a book report (max 3000 words) and an oral exam:
- 25% oral exam
- 40% assignment (2000-5000 words)
- 35% book report (max 3000 words)

Evaluation criteria

The main assessment criteria are: (1) conceptual competence and (2) linguistic competence. Students will also find an evalutation rubric to help them compose the assignments.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

- 25% oral exam
- 40% assignment (2000-5000 words)
- 35% book report (max 3000 words)

Exam language

Italiano