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Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL3128: Knowledge, Human Values and Anti-Science

This module descriptor refers to the 2023/4 academic year.

Overview

NQF Level 5
Credits 15 ECTS Value 7.5
Term(s) and duration

This module will run during term 2 (11 weeks)

Academic staff

Dr Celso Alves Neto (Convenor)

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Available via distance learning

Yes

Can knowledge be politically neutral? Can it state facts that are completely independent from our political and moral views? In this module, you will examine these and related questions about how politics and morality influence what we take to be “true” or “false”. You will also consider the motivations and merits of anti-science movements, such as anti-vaxxers and climate change denialists. Are these movements politically biased? Are they correctly denouncing science (and thus knowledge) as rigged? To discuss these issues, we draw on different scholarly traditions, such as feminist philosophy and sociology of science. The module requires no background in science, epistemology, ethics, or politics. The module is highly recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.  

Module created

08/03/2023

Last revised

13/03/2023