Dr Bryan Roberts LAK.5.03

This course is compulsory on the MPhil/PhD in Philosophy. This course is not available as an outside option.

This is a special topics course on the philosophy of science. It meets weekly, and has two components.

The first component (roughly half the meetings) will consist in a reading group on mathematical topics in philosophy of science. Although ultimately determined by attendants, the possible topics include: philosophy of mathematics, representation theorems and philosophy of representation, foundations and dynamics of financial markets, philosophy of space and time, philosophy of quantum mechanics, and philosophy of thermal and statistical physics.

The second component will consist in attending lectures and outside reading groups involving professional philosophers of science. Students may choose from the Sigma Club and BSPS lectures on Monday evenings, Choice Group meetings involving philosophy of science, and the All London History and Philosophy of Science reading group. Background readings to prepare students for these lectures as well as essay topics will sometimes be suggested.

Together this amounts to roughly 10 meetings in Michaelmas Term and 10 meetings in Lent Term. Details about the meetings will be provided on Moodle, and information about the Sigma Club and BSPS lecture series can be found on the LSE Philosophy homepage under the "Events" heading.

15 hours of seminars in the MT. 15 hours of seminars in the LT.

As this is a reading group, each participant is invited to take the lead on at least one meeting, choosing a topic and readings in consultation with the instructor, and leading the discussion during at least one of the Monday-evening seminars.

Students will be expected to write one essay per term and to give a seminar presentation.