The History of Science

Why did certain philosophers and scientists believe the sun rotated the earth? Why were so many patients bled until they were closed to losing consciousness by their physicians for centuries? What occurrences have finely tuned child mortality into account? And why wasn't the possibility of evolution considered seriously until the late 1700s? These are the kinds of questions contemplated by historians of science. We observe that part of history that covers the development of human values, the formation, and operation of the universe. Some historians of science question how a range of scientific controversies have become entangled with social and political and change. Those historians might inquire whether there are connections between Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and the industrial society in which he lived. While a historian of science that focus on hypothetical issues might question whether scientific advance take place evenly or during explosive periods of advance; an historian that concentrate primary on technicalities, will examine how medieval astronomers predicted the date of Easter.

We are closely connected with the philosophy of science because we have the same observation about the nature of scientific reasoning, when it comes to determining something 'scientific'. As the same for the sociology of science, awareness with the way scientists behave often manipulates our philosophical predilection. We do not attempt to cover the entire field within the History and Philosophy of Science course, but instead offer a sample of each branch, and introduce students to be liberated thinkers.