Why History and Philosophy of Science?

History and Philosophy of Science subjects are both intrinsically interesting and vocationally valuable. There are people everywhere - in business, in the Law and medicine, in research, in government, in education - who will tell you that the History and Philosophy of Science they studied at university, has turned out to be some of the most valuable courses they did.

History and Philosophy of Science changes the way you think about the world - and about the science, medicine and technology that pervade almost every part of modern life. It tackles questions like:

Does science tell us the Truth about Reality? If so, why do scientific theories change while Reality doesn't? Anyway, is there such a thing as Reality?
Is the kind of experience science is based on different from every day experience?
How do science, technology and society interact with one another, at different times, in different places, and on different issues?
Is social change driven by technological change?
How did science come into existence? Why were events happening in 17th century Europe so important for the development of science?
Is science a specifically Western thing? How does it relate to traditional knowledge of Non-Western Civilizations?
What are the effects of Gene Technology on society? Should we be worried?
How has the natural world shaped the course of human history? And how have we refashioned the natural world to our own ends?
Is there an intrinsic conflict between science and religion?
If science seems to contradict someone's religious beliefs, what should they do? How did deeply religious 19th century people deal with the rise of Darwinism? How do religious people today deal with current physics and cosmology?
How has science changed ideas about the way our minds and bodies relate to each other?
Are mobile phones redefining intimacy?

History and Philosophy of Science is for students who find such questions interesting and important - people who are 'interested in almost everything'.