Class Epistemology of Social and Human Sciences

This Curricular Unit involves general epistemology as well as the epistemology of science and of the social sciences in particular. Its main aim is to challenge students to reflect on the validity of the scientific paradigms and approaches of science, so that they become able both to choose scientifically valid approaches in research and to make choices informed by scientific validity in their future practice in the field of psychology.

Not applicable

1. Epistemological currents, questions, and definitions 1.1. Definition and types of knowledge 1.2. Epistemology from Antiquity to Modern Age   2. Logic and structure of scientific knowledge 2.1. Epistemological Rupture and Epistemological Obstacle (Bachelard) 2.2. The structure of science (Kuhn) 2.3. The limits of the formalization of scientific language (Wittgenstein)   3. The epistemology of the social sciences 3.1. Quarrel of the Method (Dilthey) 3.2. Overcoming the Quarrel of the Method: the communicational paradigm (Habermas) 3.3. Sociological Mediation (Weber, Merton, Bourdieu) 3.4. The Laboratory (Latour, Knorr-Cetina)

Theoretical course, of expositive nature but that encourages the debate of ideas in class. All contents are published on moodle at the beginning of the semester to allow continuous learning.

Bourdieu, P. 2003 [1997], Usos Sociais da Ciência: por uma sociologia clínica do campo científico. São Paulo: UNESP (cota: S/789-BC) Habermas, J. (1993 [1968]). Técnica e Ciência como Ideologia. Lisboa Edições 70 (cota: F/163-BC) Kuhn, T. (2012 [1962]) The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of Chicago Press (HC/97-BC) Knorr-Cetina, K. (1999), Epistemic Cultures. How the Sciences Make Knowledge. Cambridge & London: Harvard University Press Popper, K. 1975 [1934], A lógica da Pesquisa Científica. São Paulo: Cultrix (cota: F/454.2-BC). Weber, M. (2002 [1918]), A Ciência como Profissão. Lisboa: Edições Universitárias Lusófonas (cota: F/19-ER)   nota: cotas da biblioteca Vítor de Sá