https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/W_MA_SCIThe student has achieved a detailed understanding of central debates in contemporary philosophy of science. The student understands the key concepts and arguments employed in these debates and engages critically with them. The student is able to present his/her own well-argued views and develop innovative ideas regarding the nature of scientific knowledge and its role in today’s culture and society. The student is able to apply the general philosophical analyses to concrete cases and develop innovative ideas, especially from his/her own field of study.The present course will address key-problems in the general philosophy of science and in the philosophy of particular sciences.Interactive lectures/seminars Track-Specific Assignment (Pass/Fail): In the final session of the course, the students of each track will get together and explore and investigate the connection between Philosophy of Science and their specialization track (PLG, PNS, or PBH). Attending this meeting is mandatory for each student and participation will be assessed on a pass or fail basis. (Course Objective 2, 3 and 4)Exam 50%: objectives 1, 2 and 4; Paper 50%: objectives 3 and 4. A minimum score of 5.0 is required for both the exam and the paper. Next to this students require a ‘pass’ on the Track-Specific Assignment. To pass this assignment it is mandatory to attend and actively participate in the final session of the course (objectives 2, 3 and 4).The list of required readings will be included in the course manual.Students in the Master's tracks PNS, PBH, PLG