Program

The course opens with an introduction to the nature of philosophical reasoning and its difference from scientific reasoning, the role of philosophical argumentation within the sciences and the characteristics of scientific knowledge (systematicity, laws, theories, types of scientific explanation, causality) (2 hours). The second part focuses on the concept of the experimental method: observation, induction, abduction, prediction, control, deduction (2 hours). The third part and the fourth part deal with the methodology of the life sciences and seek to address epistemological issues in order to solicit critical reflection from those who use those methods. In particular, the third part deals with observational studies: classification, prospective cohort studies, internal validity, confounding and bias, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, ecological studies. The fourth part deals with experimental studies: randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental and pre-experimental studies, pharmacological trials, evidence-based medicine, etc.

Reference text: Elisabetta Lalumera, Medicina e metodo sperimentale. A philosophical introduction, Bologna 2021

Calendar

Thursday 16 May 2024, 10.00 - 12.00 AM, Master Classroom 1

Thursday 30 May 2024, 10.00 - 12.00 AM, Master Classroom 1

Thursday 6 June 2024, 10.00 - 12.00 AM, Master Classroom 1

Thursday 13 June 2024, 10.00 - 12.00 AM, Master Classroom 1

Registration

REGISTRATIONS CLOSED

PhD students must register by entering the course in the Notebook by May 5th (max 48).

This course will be held in presence, in English, in Polo Scientifico Rizzi, Aula Master 1.

Teacher

Gabriele De Anna