ML: History and Philosophy of Evolutionism

elementary

FI1_W03; FI1_W08;

FI1_U07; FI1_U10; FI1_U11;

FI1_K06;

(in Polish) Znajomość języka angielskiego

The aim of the lecture will be to familiarize students with selected figures and issues in the history of evolutionary biology and to present them in an appropriate philosophical context. The classes will be a combination of a lecture and a critical analysis of source texts.

During the lecture, students will have the opportunity to learn about selected thinkers who influenced the development of evolutionary biology. During the course, we will focus on discussing scientists who have been so far marginalized in the historiography of biology, in order to show a completely different perspective of the process of formation of contemporary biology. Students will have the opportunity to read the works of thinkers who have been forgotten, or intentionally omitted, by the modern scientific "mainstream" and have only recently reawakened the interest of philosophers and historians of science.

Classes will be a combination of a lecture and a critical analysis of texts. The selected texts will be source texts from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as well as contemporary philosophical and historical texts presenting a new perspective on the development of evolutionary thought. Additionally, some classes will be in the form of a lecture, during which the students will have the opportunity to learn about the generally ignored history of the development of biology.

Bowler P. J., The eclipse of Darwinism. Anti-Darwinian evolution theories in the decades around 1900, The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore – London 1992.

Mayr E., The growth of biological thought. Diversity, Evolution, and Inheritance, The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge – London 1982.

Additioal literature:

Wagner, M. J. Interpretacje rozwoju biologii ewolucyjnej na przełomie XIX i XX wieku. Warszawa, Liberi Libr 2020.

ECTS [1 ECTS = 30 (25) hours]:

- participation in the lecture: 30 hours

- preparation for a pass: 60 hours

- preparation for lectures, reading texts: 60 hours.

- consultations - 0-30 hours

Total hours (average): 180 [180/30 (25) = 6]

Number of ECTS credits: 6

Knowledge:

1. the student knows and understands the historical context of the philosophical and biological views presented in the lecture

2. the student knows the ideas and arguments used in discussions of the philosophy of biology;

3. the student understands and recognizes problems related to historical and contemporary evolutionist issues.

Skills:

1. the student reads and interprets historical and current texts concerning issues related to evolutionary biology;

2. the student notices and recognizes the philosophical problems related to the concept of evolution in biology.

Competences:

1. the student knows the scope of their knowledge in the field of philosophy and history of biology;

2. the student understands the need for continuous training and development in the field of philosophical issues presented during classes

The lecture will end with an oral exam - the final grade will depend on the result.

Knowledge:

- 2 (ndst ..): The student does not know the basic terms, concepts, and theories of evolution discussed in the course

- 3 (dst.): The student knows the basic concepts and theories related to the philosophy of biology, but is unable to discuss these issues in detail in their historical context

- 4 (db.): The student identifies the philosophical problems of evolutionism and discusses correctly selected issues in the field of philosophy and history of biology

- 5 (very good): The student is well versed in the issues of evolutionism and is able to combine it with contemporary philosophical discussions

Skills

- 2 (ndst ..): The student is not able to interpret and compare the main problems in the field of philosophy and history of biology

- 3 (dst.): The student is able to relate to some issues related to the philosophy of biology, but is not able to relate them to the historical period in which they were created, or to thinkers dealing with these issues

- 4 (db.): The student is able to correctly indicate and explain the historical relations between the problems of the philosophy of biology and the development of evolutionism

- 5 (very good): The student is able to critically discuss the issues raised during the lecture, as well as respond to them and correctly justify his position

Competences:

The student is aware of the historical roots of contemporary philosophical problems related to the theory of evolution. The student has knowledge about the development of evolutionism and its philosophical connotations.

Details will be given during the course.