Course: PHIL 210. Reasoning in the Sciences (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Examination of the concepts, methods, and limitations of the process of reasoning in the sciences, including in computer and data science. Emphasis on issues and concepts essential to success in scientific inquiry and ordinary thought, such as the evaluation of evidence; the ethics of information retrieval; the scientific method; and the concepts of possibility, probability, truth, knowledge, and reality. Questions may include: What is the difference between science and pseudo-science? Who counts as a scientific expert? How should we evaluate extraordinary claims, such as the existence of “miracle cures,” UFOs, or life after death? Can computers help us reason? Available for General Education, Basic Skills Area 1B Critical Thinking.
GE: Area 1B - Critical Thinking