ESCI 444A (H01) - Philosophy of Earth Science

ESCI 444A (H01) - Philosophy of Earth Science

Hon/PhilosophyofEarthScience

Durham Engineering&Physical Sciences::Earth Sciences
Credits: 4.0
Class Size: 24 
Term:  Spring 2026 - Full Term (01/20/2026 - 05/04/2026)
CRN:  56318
Grade Mode:  Letter Grading
Course provides an introduction to the discipline of Philosophy of Science, but from an Earth Science perspective. Considers various philosophical perspectives on the nature of science and scientific progress, drawing from works by thinkers such as Aristotle, Popper, Kuhn and Lakatos. Particular attention is given to the following questions: What is scientific knowledge? Is the acquisition of scientific knowledge a rational process? And, what makes some scientific discoveries "revolutionary"? These questions are considered using examples from the history of scientific progress in the Earth Sciences, focusing on groundbreaking discoveries such as the age of the earth, the evolution of organisms as observed in the fossil record, sea-floor spreading, and modern-day global warming.
Only the following students: Honors College Admit, Honors Program
Attributes:  Inquiry (Discovery), Honors course, Environment,Tech&Society(Disc)
Instructors:  Rosemarie Came

Times & Locations

Start Date End Date Days Time Location
1/20/2026 5/4/2026 TR 2:10pm - 3:30pm JAMS 254

Booklist

Book Details
TIME'S ARROW,TIME'S CYCLE 87
by GOULD Required
ISBN
978067489199 9
PUBLISHER
NORTON
STRUCTURE OF SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTIONS 4TH 12
by KUHN Required
ISBN
978022645812 0
PUBLISHER
UCP
WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED SCIENCE? 4TH 13
by CHALMERS Required
ISBN
978162466038 2
PUBLISHER
HACKETT