Summer School "Relativism in the Study of Science" (Dubrovnik, July 4th to 10th)
Summer School on “Relativism in the Study of Science”, Inter-University Centre Dubrovnik, July 4th to 10th.
The teaching staff will be:
Dr Natalie Ashton, Univ. of Vienna
Prof. Paul Hoyningen-Huene, Leibniz Univ. of Hannover
Dr Katherina Kinzel, Univ. of Vienna
Prof. Boris Kožnjak, Univ. of Zagreb
Prof. Martin Kusch, Univ. of Vienna
Prof. Jure Zovko, Univ. of Zadar
Course description:
Various forms of relativism have been salient in the history, philosophy
and sociology of science for at least a century. Debates over
historicism and psychologism were widespread and lively especially, but
not only, in the German-speaking world between the 1890s and 1940s
(e.g.Windelband, Rickert, Droysen). The “rationality wars” of the 1960,
especially in the philosophy of the social sciences (e.g. Winch, Hollis,
Lukes, MacIntyre, Taylor) were fought primarily in the Anglophone
world. Many the central arguments in this “war” had their origins in
controversies in the social sciences themselves (at least since
Westermarck and Boas). Wittgenstein was also an important influence.
Kuhn, Feyerabend, “the Strong Programme” (e.g. Barnes, Bloor, Collins,
Shapin), Feminist philosophy of science (e.g. Haraway, Harding,
Longino), and various movements in social and cultural history (e.g.
“new historicism”) are central landmarks in the argumentative landscape
of the last fifty-odd years. The purpose of this Summer School is to
review and reassess some central junctions in the history of, and
contemporary debates about, relativism in “science studies” (broadly
construed to include history, philosophy and sociology of science). In
doing so, we shall draw on recent new formulations and defenses of
relativism in epistemology, moral philosophy and philosophical semantics
(e.g. Boghossian, Kölbel, MacFarlane, Rovane, Wright).
The course is open to Master and PhD students. The language of
instruction is English. The number of participants is restricted to 25.
It is possible to earn 5 ECTS credits through attending the course and
fulfilling the course requirements (preparatory reading, regular
attendance, active participation in the discussions, oral presentation,
and a final paper of around 5000 words).
The course fee is €40. It can be waived in case of financial hardship.
Successful applicants will normally have to cover the costs of their
travel, hotel and meals, though some financial assistance is likely to
become available in cases of financial hardship or if the student is
from the University of Vienna. It may be possible to house at least some
of the participants in a dormitory where prices are low. A list of
affordable hotels will be sent to successful applicants.
Applications should be sent (electronically) to: Martin Kusch martin.kusch@univie.ac.at
The deadline for applications is March 15th, 2016.
The application should contain a copies of degrees, a transcript of
marks, a letter explaining motivation, and one letter of recommendation.
The latter should be sent directly to the above email address and
should reach us by March 15th. Successful candidates will be informed by
April.