Theme 1

• Lecture (Mon): Theory of science, Leif Dahlberg.
• Seminar (Wed): Theory of science, Leif Dahlberg.

Bertrand Russell is considered to be one of the founders of what has come to be called Analytical Philosophy, which during the first half of the twentieth century attempted to revolutionize philosophy. The book The Problems of Philosophy (1912) is a canonical text in Analytical Philosophy. The book is available here: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5827. Please read the book and also answer the following questions:

1. What does Russell mean by "sense data" and why does he introduce this notion?
2. What is the meaning of the terms "proposition" and "statement of fact"? How does propositions and statement of facts differ from other kinds of verbal expressions?
3. In chapter 5 ("Knowledge by Acquaintance and Knowledge by Description") Russell introduces the notion "definite description". What does this notion mean?
4. In chapter 13 ("Knowledge, Error and Probable Opinion") and in chapter 14 ("The Limits of Philosophical Knowledge") Russell attacks traditional problems in theory of knowledge (epistemology). What are the main points in Russell's presentation?

Publish your reflections before and after the theme is completed in you individual learning portfolio (blog). See the course guide for further instructions.