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Is physics and philosophy a worthwhie course?


drewmillar

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I have been trying to find a good course for me to take at university for a few months and earlier i stumbled upon a 'physics and philosophy' course at oxford. Whilst i appreciate the course requires three A's at a2 and is likely to be very costly i was wondering if, discounting those factors, the course would be a good way to spend my time at uni. Physics and Philosophy are studied in parallel during the first three years. The physics corresponds to the more theoretical side of the standard three-year Oxford physics course while the philosophy focuses on modern philosophy and particularly on metaphysics and the theory of knowledge. Students who complete the first three years can if they wish leave with a BA degree. Students going on to the MPhysPhil in the fourth year may specialise in either physics or philosophy, or continue in their study of both disciplines and their interrelations.The bridging subject, philosophy of physics, is studied in each of the first three years, and is an option in the fourth year. Specialist lectures are given in this subject together with tutorials and classes. Other final year options include a physics project or philosophy thesis. Thanks, Drew.

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A degree in anything is always a leg-up on the employment ladder, as it shows commitment, intelligence and and forward thinking determination.

A degree from a university like Oxford; even more so. Moreover, if you're anything like me you're likely to gain as much of a foothold in your desired field from the people you meet/network with as you will from the degree certificate you gain at the end.

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I have been trying to find a good course for me to take at university for a few months and earlier i stumbled upon a 'physics and philosophy' course at oxford. Whilst i appreciate the course requires three A's at a2 and is likely to be very costly i was wondering if, discounting those factors, the course would be a good way to spend my time at uni. Physics and Philosophy are studied in parallel during the first three years. The physics corresponds to the more theoretical side of the standard three-year Oxford physics course while the philosophy focuses on modern philosophy and particularly on metaphysics and the theory of knowledge. Students who complete the first three years can if they wish leave with a BA degree. Students going on to the MPhysPhil in the fourth year may specialise in either physics or philosophy, or continue in their study of both disciplines and their interrelations.The bridging subject, philosophy of physics, is studied in each of the first three years, and is an option in the fourth year. Specialist lectures are given in this subject together with tutorials and classes. Other final year options include a physics project or philosophy thesis. Thanks, Drew.

 

I wouldn't know about the courses at Oxford University, but I do know that Physics and Philosophy are a good combination for a degree. Physics courses are pretty standard around the world with Universities offering the following at 3rd year:

 

  1. Quantum Mechanics
  2. Statistical and Thermal Physics
  3. Nuclear and Atomic Physics
  4. Solid State Physics
  5. Computational Physics
  6. and the required laboratory sessions

As to regards to Philosophy you will be introduced to subjects such as:

 

  1. Critical Reasoning and Argumentation
  2. The Philosophy of Science

....etc. The above mentioned courses in Philosophy is important for the following reasons, respectively:

 

To acquire critical thinking, problem-solving methods and skills in argumentation by identifying fallacies and obstacles to reasoning, by constructing, analysing and critically evaluating arguments.

 

 

To acquaint students with the nature of scientific reasoning, the status of scientific in terms of their relations(s) to reality, and connections between the theories and practice of science.

 

Also courses in Theoretical and Applied Ethics is useful.

 

The above quotes are course descriptions offered by the University of South Africa.

 

Regards. :D

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As to regards to Philosophy you will be introduced to subjects such as:

 

  1. Critical Reasoning and Argumentation
  2. The Philosophy of Science

The two areas of philosophy that you mention are also associated with a topic in philosophy known as "logical positivism". The Positivist approach is of particular importanceand interest in the context of studying the development of modern physics that occurred in the early part of the twentieth century.

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I have been trying to find a good course for me to take at university for a few months and earlier i stumbled upon a 'physics and philosophy' course at oxford. ...

I myself have a BA in Physics and Mathematics from Merrimack College, North Andover MA.

 

I took a course called The Philosophy of Science which I loved. The text that they now use in the course is Scientific Inquiry; Readings in the Philosophy of Science Edited by Robert Klee. It seems like a good text. I haven't gotten around to reading it yet.

 

Another text is Logc of Scientific Discovery by Karl Popper, Routledge Classics. First Ed. published in 1935 - Awesome book! This book is legendary! A must read for a very good philosopher in physics.

 

Another awsome text is called The Structure of Scientific Revolutions - Third Edition by Thomas Kunn.

 

There is a text out called Classical Charged Particles Third Edition by Fritz Rohrlich, World Scientific Publishing (2007). Rohrlich is a well-known, first rate physicist. Chapter 1, which starts on page 1, is called Philosophy and Logic and Physical Theory. In the first paragraph the Rohrlich writes

... ignoring philosophy in physics means not understanding physics.

I fully agree with Rohrlich, that's for sure! I you want to read the first chapter than I can arrange that. Just PM me. This chapter,or its equivalent, is a must read for physicists who wish to be considered top rate too. Again, in my opinion. On page 2 the author writes

Nevertheless, we can say that the theory explains the phenomenon. In this sense scientific explanation is circular.

There is a text out called Classical Charged Particles Third Edition by Fritz Rohrlich, World Scientific Publishing (2007). Rohrlich is a well-known, first rate physicist. Chapter 1, which starts on page 1, is called Philosophy and Logic and Physical Theory. In the first paragraph the Rohrlich writes

... ignoring philosophy in physics means not understanding physics.

I fully agree with Rohrlich, that's for sure! I you want to read the first chapter than I can arrange that. Just PM me. This chapter,or its equivalent, is a must read for physicists who wish to be considered top rate too. Again, in my opinion.

Edited by pmb
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