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Bulletin Archive

This archived information is dated to the 2008-09 academic year only and may no longer be current.

For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.

Undergraduate courses in History and Philosophy of Science

In this section:

HPS 60. Introduction to Philosophy of Science

HPS 61. Science, Religion, and the Birth of Modern Philosophy

HPS 154. What is Science? Explaining Nature from Pythagoras to Popper

HPS 156. History of Women and Medicine in the United States

HPS 199. Directed Reading

Up one level:

History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) Courses

HPS 60. Introduction to Philosophy of Science

(Same as PHIL 60.) 20th-century views on the nature of scientific knowledge. Logical positivism and Popper; the problem of induction; Kuhn, Feyerbend, and radical philosophies of science; subsequent attempts to rebuild moderate empiricist and realist positions. GER:DB-Hum

5 units, Aut (Ryckman, T)

HPS 61. Science, Religion, and the Birth of Modern Philosophy

(Same as PHIL 61.) Galileo's defense of the Copernican world-system that initiated the scientific revolution of the 17th century, led to conflict between science and religion, and influenced the development of modern philosophy. Readings focus on Galileo and Descartes. GER:DB-Hum

5 units, not given this year

HPS 154. What is Science? Explaining Nature from Pythagoras to Popper

History of scientific methods and associated science from ancient Greece to the 20th century. Case studies include Pythagoras, Plato, and Euclid; Aristotle; medieval science; scientific Renaissance of the 1540s; methodological clashes involving the Church, Galileo, Bacon, and Descartes; Newton; Faraday; Darwin; rise of statistical methods; beginnings of modern physics; Popper. The mutual influences of method and practice. What does and does not qualify as science. Recommended: background in history, philosophy, or a technical field such as mathematics, science, or engineering. GER:DB-Hum

5 units, Win (McCaskey, J)

HPS 156. History of Women and Medicine in the United States

Women's bodies in sickness and health, and encounters with lay and professional healers from the 18th century to the present. Historical contstruction of thought about women's bodies and physical limitations; sexuality; birth control and abortion; childbirth; adulthood; and menopause and aging. Women as healers, including midwives, lay physicians, the medical profession, and nursing. GER:EC-Gender

5 units, Aut (Horn, M)

HPS 199. Directed Reading

1-15 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

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