FIL1009 ¨C Science and Democracy: Philosophical Perspectives

Course content

Democracy means that people have a say in who governs a nation, regardless of their educational or social status. But there`s no guarantee that the voters in a democracy will make good choices. What if people`s voting decisions are motivated by hatred, greed, ignorance or false beliefs? In recent years, fake news and alternative facts have received a lot of attention. It is not always easy to identify trustworthy sources of information. We might assume that science can give us answers here. Many people think of science as dealing in facts, rather than values, as being objective, rather than biased, as being rational rather than emotional.

Others are suspicious of so-called scientific expertise and objectivity. Are scientists more trustworthy than other people? Are `scientific findings` less likely to be contaminated by subjective interests and bias? Science has historically been dominated by a small and powerful group of people. Its methods have in the past been used to justify and perpetuate oppression. Should we feel suspicious of science? Or of people who are `science-sceptics`? How should democratic societies deal with these challenges?

These questions will form a central part of this course. We will examine the role of science in society. What role should scientific expertise have in a democratic society? How - if at all - are moral, political or religious values relevant to science? How important is social context for scientific research? What challenges arise when members of the public lose trust in science? If people can`t be sure that the government`s scientific advisors are reliable, or what agenda they follow, how should scientists, governments and societies respond to this?

The course also includes a series of case studies, which will vary from year to year, but will cover issues such as climate change, decolonising academia, gene modification, artificial intelligence, `fake news`, academic freedom and freedom of speech, human enhancement, the pandemic, and many other topics. Students will also get the chance to put forward their own suggestions for case studies to focus on in class.

Learning outcome

When you have completed this course, you are expected to:

• have a basic understanding of central philosophical questions concerning science and society: science`s role in a democratic society; the role of political, moral or religious values and the social context of scientific research; challenges for science and its social role, and how a society can respond to them
• be able to give a short and clear written presentation and discussion on a given theme related to the course syllabus

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Teaching

14 double sessions which will be a combination of lectures and seminars. The course has the following compulsory activities:

• A discussion paper of 3-4 pages (one page should contain approximately 2300 characters).
• Mandatory participation in at least 6 activities in Canvas (such as quiz or discussions)

All activities must be accepted as satisfactory in order to qualify for the exam. The activities are also valid the next two times the course is offered, provided the course hasn't been subject to major changes.

How to apply for valid absence from obligatory activity / mandatory presence.

Examination

A final 4-hours school exam.

Language of examination

You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.