STS 340 - Scientific Debate: Great Scientific Controversies in Context

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

Who invented calculus? Is light a wave or a particle? Is nature deterministic or probabilistic? What were the ‘Science Wars’ all about? In the study of animal morphology does function dictate form or is it form that dictates function? These and other controversies have gripped the scientific community over the past 350 years. While the debates have mostly been restricted to a healthy dialog within the scientific community, at times they have aroused passions and sparked lively and even vicious exchanges between scientists. In this seminar we explore the nature of several scientific controversies within their appropriate contexts. In order to grapple with these episodes effectively we examine primary and secondary source materials relating to the particular controversy within its historical context. José Perillan.

One 2-hour period.