Examination arrangement

Course content

The subject Philosophy of Science and Ethics is compulsory and an important tool for gathering all the PhD-students at the doctoral programme in Economics and management in a common arena. The Faculty therefore attaches great importance to the subject being of high academic standard, relevant and of interest to students regardless of research project and methodological approach.

Topic list: - The role philosophy of science - Main positions and paradigms in philosophy of science - Scientific reasoning - Explanation in science - Explanation vs understanding - Causality and explanations in economic management - Reflective and formative measurement - Theory and reality - Theory formulation and testing and criteria for evaluating and accepting theories and research - Research ethics - Different ethical views of nature and sustainable development - business ethics.

Learning outcome

The purpose of this course is to develop the students' understanding of the foundations of philosophy of science and implications for scientific practice in economics and management. The course will address different topics in philosophy of science such as scientific reasoning; explanation in science and scientific notions of causality and will relate these topics to the social practice of science in economics and related disciplines. The course will also offer different perspectives on the role of theories in predicting and explaining social phenomenon and criteria to evaluate and test such theories. Another important goal of the course is to present issues and perspectives on ethics in social science research. The course will draw on literature in philosophy of science, methodology and on contributions in areas like economics, organization and management studies, marketing and technology management. Having completed the course, the student should:

Knowledge: - Develop an in-depth understanding of main positions in philosophy of science and the role of philosophy of science in the social practice of science - Assess the role of theories for predicting and explaining the reality and assess the logic behind procedures for developing and testing theories - Reflect on the nature of ethical issues in research and evaluate the appropriateness and application of different designs and methods in research from an ethical perspective - Reflexively discuss the philosophical and ethical underpinnings of management, and innovation and modern technology in its social context

Skills: - Be able to critically evaluate theories and research contributions in economics and management - Be able to relate notions of causality to the philosophy of social science and assess and understand the role and appropriateness of different designs - Be able to discuss and carry out scientific research in line with, but also with a critical view on, the ethical standards and expectations in their field

General competence: - Be able to relate scientific traditions to positions in the philosophy of science - Identify philosophical and ethical issues and implications of different theoretical approaches and research practices - Engage in ethical dialogues about research ethics and research quality.

Learning methods and activities

Intensive seminars, with lectures, presentations and discussions. Active participation (compulsory) in class discussions, presentation of essay (draft) and acting as discussant for the essay presentation of another course participant. The essay is to be on a topic with relevance for the candidate's PhD project, with a scope of 3-5000 words. There will be opportunity for group work on the essay.

Compulsory assignments

• Participation in class discussions, essay presentation, discussant for another course participant

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

It will be helpful if students have some basic knowledge of the fundamental concepts and perspectives in philosophy of science and ethics (e.g., ontology, epistemology, objectivism/subjectivism, falsification, utilitarianism and virtue ethics etc.)

Required previous knowledge

Normally students have to be admitted to a PhD programme at the Faculty of Economics and management.

Course materials

Will be announced before the start of the course.