Event Timeslots (1)
Thursday
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What does it mean to be uncertain? What does it mean that science is uncertain? Are there things in the world that are uncertain independently of our beliefs? Are all uncertainties reducible to methodological errors?
The seminar comprises three parts. First, we will define the key concepts of epistemic and socio-epistemic uncertainty and discuss the question of whether there is such a thing as ontological uncertainty. We will discuss examples from philosophy of science for each of these challenges. The second part will turn to uncertainties as a practical challenge for working sciences, to further explore at how scientists manage uncertainties. The leading question is: How has science dealt with the different forms of uncertainty to facilitate progress and innovation while at the same time cultivating science as a self-corrective enterprise? In the third part, we will further explore these concepts when we discuss how to communicate scientific results and different levels of confidence and certainty to each other as peers and to various external target audiences.
Students' active participation will be encouraged and incentivized throughout the course.