Syllabus
1. Introduction. Historical development of science.
2. Ethical aspects of research - general explanation.
3. Ethical aspects of research - examples.
4. Philosophy and its methods. Problem of language and its relationship to theory.
5. Difference between research within philosophy - social sciences - natural sciences.
6. Problemas of translation of foreign texts.
7. The problem of defining concepts I. - principles for formulation of definitions.
8. The problem of defining concepts II. - discussion of examples of definitions, consequences for practice.
9. Popper's concept of science.
10. Scientific paradigmes (Kuhn).
11. Hermeneutics and interpretation.
12. The truth within philosophy of science and philosophy.
13. Science, values and scientific rationality.
14. Summary.
Annotation
The course introduces the basic philosophical aspects of research. It focuses on the problem of concepts, basic principles of defining concepts, and the problem of truth.
Special attention is placed on ther role of language and interpretation of texts. Differences of research withihin philosophy, social sciences and natural sciences will be explained.
The course will also discuss ethical aspects of research. The themes will be discussed with respect to problems that students face when preparing and writing their master thesis.