Philosophy Of Science: Popper, Kuhn & Methods

Examine Popper's falsifiability, Kuhn's paradigms, and alternative theories to master scientific methods.

What you'll learn

Outline key principles of Popper's falsificationism and apply falsifiability criteria to evaluate scientific theories.

Compare Kuhn's paradigm shift model with Lakatos' research programmes and Feyerabend's epistemological anarchism.

Analyze Hume's problem of induction and Mill's methods to structure rigorous experimental inquiry.

Differentiate between verificationism of logical positivism and hypothetico-deductive models in scientific methodology.

Requirements

Basic familiarity with scientific research methods, undergraduate-level reading proficiency, critical thinking skills, and access to a modern web browser for course materials.

Description

Dive into the fascinating realm of the philosophy of science with this comprehensive course designed to guide you through the foundational concepts, methodological debates, and critical perspectives that shape scientific inquiry. Whether you are a student of philosophy, a practicing researcher, or simply an intellectually curious individual, you will benefit from an in-depth exploration of how scientific knowledge evolves, how theories are evaluated, and why understanding methodological frameworks empowers more rigorous investigation across disciplines. Join us as we unpack the big ideas that drive the scientific enterprise and sharpen your analytical toolkit.In this course, you will engage with the landmark methodological theories of Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn, Imre Lakatos, and Paul Feyerabend, acquiring the tools to analyze falsificationism, paradigm shifts, research programmes, and epistemological anarchism. You will critically assess classic problems such as Hume's challenge of induction and the demarcation between science and pseudoscience, and learn to apply Mill's methods of experimental inquiry alongside hypothetico-deductive reasoning. Through comparative analysis, you will build a nuanced understanding of how each theory contributes to our conception of scientific progress and objective knowledge.Starting with foundational topics in the philosophy of science, you will explore the scope of scientific inquiry, the demarcation problem, and various models of scientific explanation and prediction. We then dive into Karl Popper's falsificationist approach, examining his criterion of falsifiability, the conjecture and refutation cycle, and his criteria for corroboration and ad hoc hypotheses. In the latter portion of the course, you will study Thomas Kuhn's paradigms, the stages of normal science, crises and revolutions, and alternative frameworks from Lakatos and Feyerabend. Each module combines lecture videos, readings, and practical examples.Throughout this course, you will engage with a dynamic mix of video lectures, curated readings, and guided reflection questions designed to deepen your understanding. Case studies and historical examples illustrate how methodological concepts have influenced real-world scientific breakthroughs. Periodic quizzes and discussion prompts enable you to test your knowledge and interact with peers in a collaborative learning environment. By the end of each section, you will complete targeted exercises that reinforce critical skills such as hypothesis formulation, theoretical evaluation, and argumentative clarity.By the end of the course, you will be able to articulate and apply key methodological theories to your own research projects, evaluate competing frameworks with precision, and formulate well-reasoned arguments about the nature of scientific progress. You will gain the confidence to critically interrogate research designs, navigate debates on theory choice, and contribute effectively to interdisciplinary conversations about knowledge production. This course empowers you to think deeply about science and to elevate your scholarly and practical work.

Overview

Section 1: Intro

Lecture 1 Hello

Section 2: Foundations of Scientific Method

Lecture 2 The Scope of Philosophy of Science

Lecture 3 Demarcation Problem in Science

Lecture 4 The Problem of Induction

Lecture 5 Mill’s Methods of Experimental Inquiry

Lecture 6 Hypothetico-Deductive Model

Lecture 7 Verificationism and Logical Positivism

Lecture 8 Scientific Explanation and Prediction

Lecture 9 The Role of Observation and Experimentation

Section 3: Karl Popper's Falsificationist Approach

Lecture 10 Popper’s Biographical and Intellectual Context

Lecture 11 Demarcation by Falsifiability

Lecture 12 Conjectures and Refutations

Lecture 13 Deductive Testing and Falsification

Lecture 14 Corroboration vs. Confirmation

Lecture 15 Ad Hoc Hypotheses and the Growth of Knowledge

Lecture 16 Scientific Progress and Objective Knowledge

Lecture 17 Critiques and Legacy of Popper

Section 4: Kuhn & Alternative Methodological Theories

Lecture 18 Kuhn’s Scientific Revolution Framework

Lecture 19 Normal Science and Puzzle-Solving

Lecture 20 Anomalies, Crises, and Revolution

Lecture 21 Paradigm Shift and Incommensurability

Lecture 22 Lakatos’ Research Programmes

Lecture 23 Feyerabend’s Epistemological Anarchism

Lecture 24 Contemporary Debates and Integration

Section 5: Conclusion

Lecture 25 Summary and Next Steps

This course is intended for students, researchers, and professionals interested in the philosophical foundations of science, methodology, and critical analysis of scientific theories. It is ideal for philosophy majors, practicing scientists, educators, and intellectually curious learners seeking to deepen their understanding of how scientific knowledge develops and how methodological frameworks influence research practices across disciplines.