Mathematics and science represent a unique combination of complementary disciplines. Jointly they offer impressive levels of accuracy and prediction. These disciplines are themselves based on theories of knowledge and logic that have developed over thousands of years. This course aims to tell that story and will look at those areas that are fundamental to each discipline. Topics included are platonism, nominalism, empiricism, the scientific method, rationalism and logic. It will also look into questions such as, is mathematics discovered or invented? If these disciplines are empirical, are they necessarily contingent? Will 1+1 always = 2? This course is more inclined toward theories of knowledge rather than metaphysics or ontology but inevitably those areas will be explored. A knowledge of philosophical terms would be useful but not essential. Some rudimentary knowledge of mathematics and geometry would also be useful. The course will be held every 4 weeks on the following dates: 13/10, 10/11, 08/12 in the Autumn, 19/01, 16/02, 16/03 in the Spring term, & 20/04, 18/05, 15/06 in the Summer term.
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