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PHIL 255 - Cosmology: Science and the Human Prospect
Course Description
- Prerequisite: ENG 100 OR placement in ENG 209-260
An interdisciplinary study of science and philosophy from a humanistic perspective. A scientific description of the Universe and its constituents and its implications for human life will be discussed. Also, the central philosophical problems of cosmology will be discussed: the problem of understanding the world - including ourselves, and our knowledge, as part of the world.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of PHIL 255, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of historical and philosophical perspectives on the human relationship to the Universe.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different cosmologies of Western culture, i.e., the Aristotelian-Ptolemaic, Copernican-Newtonian, 20th century.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method by surveying its modern results and studying its historical development.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic issues of philosophy of science, including the central philosophical problem of cosmology -- the problem of understanding the world, and our knowledge, as part of the world.