Introduction to Philosophy and Critical Thinking

Pre-requisites: None

Course objectives: Through the work on two methodological topics students should get familiar with the difference between the basic forms of reasoning, i.e. they should acquire the ability to recognize them as well as master the skill of recognizing philosophical content in scientific theories.

Course description: The first methodological topic in this course refers to the distinction between induction and deduction, and it includes further explanation of the concept and types of induction, areas of application of induction and, in particular, its role in scientific research. The second topic, the relation between science and metaphysics, includes not only exposition of criteria for distinguishing these two areas, but also roles that philosophy can have in the development of science: conceptualization and interpretations of scientific concepts, synchronization of various scientific theories, mediation between scientific concepts and common sense, etc.

Learning Outcomes: Students are expected to know the methodological topics as covered in lectures and exercises, relying on mandatory literature. For a written exam they should write a short essay (10-15 sentences) on one of two methodological topics of their choice.

Literature/Reading:

• Članci o logičkim greškama i paradoksima u P. Edwards, ed., The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, MacMillan, London, 1967. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/self-reference/ http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/paradoxes-contemporary-logic/