The aim of this course is to trace back the influence of positivism in 20th century analytical philosophy.
Positivism from Auguste Comte till today. The emergence of positivism in the 19th century, its popularity, the conception of progress in positivism, the influence of positivism on the 20th century, philosophers of the Vienna Circle, or, Logical Positivists: Rudolf Carnap, Moritz Schlick, Hans Reichenbach, Otto Neurath and their major works.
Vertical Tabs
Course Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes Upon the completion of this course a student: |
Program Learning Outcomes |
Teaching Methods |
Assessment Methods |
1) acquires critical approach to positivism. |
1,2,3,4,7,10 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
2) discusses scientific method in relation to positivistic arguments. |
1,2,3,4,7,10 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
3) relates to positivism’s concepts in a critical and creative way. |
1,2,3,4,7,10 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
4) grasps the historical significance of positivism. |
1,2,3,4,7,10 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
5) explains the importance of positivism in relation to the 20th century anlaytic philosophy. |
1,2,3,4,7,10 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
6) distinguishes contemporary problematics as subjects of positivistic approach. |
1,2,3,4,5,7 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
Course Flow
COURSE CONTENT |
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Week |
Topics |
Study Materials |
1 |
Introduction |
Comte |
2 |
Ayer: Selections from Language, Truth and Logic |
Ayer |
3 |
Moore: “A Defense of Common Sense” |
Moore |
4 |
Austin: Selections from Sense and Sensibilia |
Austin |
5 |
Russell: “Knowledge by Acquaintance, and Knowledge by Description” |
Russell |
6 |
Frege: Selections from The Foundations of Arithmetic |
Frege |
7 |
Hempel: “On the Nature of Mathematical Truth” |
Hempel |
8 |
Mid-semester assessment |
- |
9 |
Wittgenstein: Selections from Tractatus |
Wittgenstein |
10 |
Neurath: “Protocol Sentences” |
Neurath |
11 |
Schlick: “The Foundations of Knowledge” |
Schlick |
12 |
Hempel: “The Empiricist Criterion of Meaning” |
Hempel |
13 |
Carnap: “Empiricism, Semantics and Ontology” |
Carnap |
14 |
Quine: “Two Dogmas of Empiricism” |
Quine |
15 |
General assessment |
- |
16 |
Final Exam |
- |
Recommended Sources
RECOMMENDED SOURCES |
|
Textbook |
Texts put together by the instructor of the course |
Additional Resources |
Russell, Bertrand. 1914: “On Scientific Method in Philosophy,” in Russell 1918 Wittgenstein, Ludwig. 1922: Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, tr. C.K. Ogden. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. Ayer, A.J. 1936: Language, Truth and Logic, London: Gollantz; second edition 1946; reprinted New York: Dover, 1952. Carnap, Rudolf. 1928: The Logical Structure of the World. English trans. published by Berkeley: University of California Press, 1969. Quine, W. V. 1951: “Two Dogmas of Empiricism.” Philosophical Review 60(1951):20-43. Austin, J.L. 1962: Sense and Sensibilia, London: Oxford University Press |
Material Sharing
MATERIAL SHARING |
|
Documents |
- |
Assignments |
- |
Exams |
- |
Assessment
ASSESSMENT |
||
IN-TERM STUDIES |
NUMBER |
PERCENTAGE |
Attendance |
15 |
10 |
Midterm |
- |
- |
Participation in seminar discussions |
15 |
10 |
Assignments |
1 |
10 |
Presentation |
1 |
10 |
Critical reading notes |
10 |
10 |
Final examination |
1 |
10 |
Final Paper |
1 |
40 |
Total |
|
100 |
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL PAPER TO OVERALL GRADE |
|
40 |
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE |
|
60 |
Total |
|
100 |
Course’s Contribution to Program
COURSE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROGRAM |
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No |
Program Learning Outcomes |
Contribution |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
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1 |
acquires fundamental conceptual and methodological knowledge to use productively and creatively in academic studies. |
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|
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X |
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2 |
improves a versatile critical and analytical approach, problem-solving, interpretative and argumentative skills in relation to advanced philosophical investigations. |
|
|
|
X |
|
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3 |
proves to be a philosopher with principles, who communicates effectively, is specifically successful in written and oral presentation, has proper capacities for teamwork and interdisciplinary studies, takes the initiative, has developed a sense of responsibility, and contributes original ideas to the field of philosophy.
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|
X |
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4 |
applies life-long learning attitude to various ways of acquiring knowledge in order to maintain a professional and personal development.
|
|
|
X |
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5 |
develops a consciousness of professional and social ethics. |
|
|
X |
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6 |
acquires the necessary skill of choosing and developing actual means and using computing technologies effectively for a philosophical study .
|
|
X |
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|
|
7 |
conducts an advanced study in history of philosophy which requires expertise, independently by using original texts. |
|
|
|
X |
|
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8 |
applies philosophical knowledge to questions concerning contemporary, socio-cultural and political problematics.
|
|
|
|
X |
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9 |
considers universal values and concepts of philosophy as a basis for [furthering] philosophical studies in Turkey; and is able to develop an approach to study and analyse issues that might arise when conducting discussions concerning history of philosophy in the Turkish language. |
|
X |
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10 |
acquires the skill and background for making contributions to the field of history of philosophy, in national and international terms.
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|
X |
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11 |
uses his/her philosophical knowledge to establish interactions at national and international level.
|
|
|
X |
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12 |
produces work of the quality of a contribution in national and international peer-reviewed journals in philosophy.
|
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X |
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13 |
holds the necessary knowledge of classical languages, a modern language in addition to English and history of philosophy to conduct an advanced philosophical study particularly in history of philosophy. |
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X |
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ECTS
ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION |
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Activities |
Quantity |
Duration |
Total |
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16 x Total course hours) |
16 |
10 |
160 |
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) |
15 |
10 |
150 |
Midterms |
- |
- |
- |
Assignments |
1 |
40 |
40 |
Presentation |
1 |
30 |
30 |
Critical reading notes |
10 |
4 |
40 |
Final examination |
1 |
40 |
40 |
Final Paper |
1 |
40 |
40 |
Total Work Load |
|
|
500 |
Total Work Load / 25 (h) |
|
|
20 |
ECTS Credit of the Course |
|
|
20 |