Philosophy of Science

Institution: see Organisers & Supporters

Programme of study: International Research Workshop

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Rolf Brühl, ESCP Europe Business School, Berlin

Date: Thursday, 13/09/18 (09.00–18.00 h)

Max. number of participants: 20

Credit Points: 5 CP for participating in the whole IRWS

Language of instruction: English

Contents:

This module intends to increase participants’ awareness of key ontological and methodological issues in social science research and, thus, explores several philosophical issues concerning the nature of social scientific theory. Topics to be covered will include some of the following: paradigms in the social sciences, truth and validity, social ontology and the nature of ‘social facts’, reductionism and methodological individualism, the explanation and interpretation of action, the role of values in social science. Completing this one-day module, participants should have first knowledge of theories and concepts enabling systematic reflection on social science.

Requirement of students: None.

Recommended literature and pre-readings:

  • Rosenberg, A. (2014). Philosophy of social science. Boulder, CO: Westview.
  • Schurz, G. (2014). Philosophy of science: a unified approach. New York: Routledge.
  • Brühl R. (2017). Wie Wissenschaft Wissen schafft:Wissenschaftstheorie und –ethik für die Sozial- und Wirtschaftswissenschaften (2nd Ed). Konstanz: UKV/Lucius & Lucius.

You have to register for the 12th International Research Workshop to participate in this course.