Cancelled: Understanding theory of science (2025)

Welcome to Understanding theory of science (2025)

Description: 

Theory of science is an attempt to comprehend science, in order to better identify it, shape it, guide it, and perhaps endorse or denounce it. To do this theory of science use philosophical topics, such as epistemology, ontology and axiology. Other fields, like sociology and semiotics, also form the theoretical and methodological base for the analysis of science. In some sense, theory of science is a form of meta-scientific inquiry, but it is also a form of reflexivity within science itself.     

Every scientist, Ph.D. students perhaps more than others, can at times come to find themselves in need of ?think things through?. Whether it springs out of doubt, or from the need to defend, or something third, is of lesser importance. The point is merely that every once in a while we need to carefully consider the science that we represent, to locate or re-locate ourselves in it or to justify the enterprise we?re involved with. The quality of our scientific work will undoubtable benefit from our ability to better comprehend the fundamental conditions, values and presumptions that constitutes the scientific requirements and expectations in the first place.     

This course offers the opportunity to practice the art of theory of science, to better acquaint oneself with the field, and to learn how to apply its thoughts and positions to the science and the scientist of one?s own. The focus of the course will be problems in theory of science that are relevant for research in the health sciences and the technological and natural sciences. These topics could be issues of measurement, facts, objectivism, and ?evidence-based?; but also issues like stakeholders, the role and influence of tools, peer-review and reductionism.     

The course will be topic oriented workshops or seminars, with the lecturer as a presenter, but more importantly as a facilitator of qualified deliberation on the topics. The sessions will therefore require active participation and an open mind from everyone involved.

Prerequisites: None

Learning objectives: 

Knowledge of basic theory of science  

Knowledge of specific topics in theory of science    

Competence to reflect on what constitute science and scientific practices  

Competence to argue for the scientific value, validity and integrity of one's Ph.d. project/work.

Teaching methods: Lectures on topics  Facilitated workshops  Individual written assignments  Oral student presentations

Criteria for assessment: 

Active participation (80%)    

3 written assignments

Key literature: Text about the topics, and for workshops. Not choosen yet.

Organizer: Patrik Kjærsdam Telléus

Lecturers: Patrik Kjærsdam Telléus

ECTS: 2.0

Time: 21 - 23 May 2025

Place: Aalborg University

Zip code: 9220

City: Aalborg

Maximal number of participants: 20

Deadline: 30 April 2025

Important information concerning PhD courses: 

There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start of the course.

For external PhD students: This course is a general course and is prioritised for PhD Students enrolled at Aalborg University. If there are available seats, PhD students from other universities will be accepted. You will be notified shortly after the deadline if you have been accepted.

To attend courses at the Doctoral School in Medicine, Biomedical Science and Technology you must be enrolled as a PhD student.

We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment, all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course.