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The University of New South Wales

History and Philosophy of Science

In this pastiche of early modern woodblock and cosmology, the thinker breaks through the limits of their own systems of thought, to experience the universe more truely. Camille Flammarion. L'Atmosphere: Météorologie Populaire. Paris, 1888. In this pastiche of early modern woodblock and cosmology, the thinker breaks through the limits of their own systems of thought, to experience the universe more truely.
Camille Flammarion. L'Atmosphère: Météorologie Populaire. Paris, 1888. (PD-old)

 

Historians and philosophers of science have been concerned with the character, history, prospects and societal impacts of modern science, since it's emergence in the 17th and 18th centuries. The history and philosophy of science (HPS) dates further back, however, with the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle arguably the first historian and philosopher of science. Today HPS is concerned with the character, politics, history and broader cultural dimensions of science, technology and biomedicine. It encompasses not only the history and philosophy of science but also the sociology of science and technology, and is closely linked to a number of cognate fields including Environmental Studies and Cognitive Science.

HPS uses the methods of the humanities and social sciences to study science and technology showing how they are evolving, human institutions shaped by history and culture. This historical, philosophical and sociological focus also facilitates instructive analyses of contemporary technoscientific challenges. As a result many of these matters, such as climate change and genetic engineering, rank among the leading interests of HPS scholars. HPS graduates are therefore not only deeply steeped in the methods and insights of the humanities and social sciences but also, in a way unique to HPS, equipped to apply them to the analysis and resolution of contemporary challenges.

HPS is a major discipline in leading universities, and the UNSW group is among the world's largest. HPS graduates find employment opportunities in areas including: science and technology policy and management, environmental policy and management, high school and university education, computing, engineering, journalism and electronic media, and museum and archival work among many others.

History and Philosophy of Science links


Recent publications in History and Philosophy of Science at UNSW

For future HPS students

History and Philosophy of Science investigates the impact of science and technology on the environment, from agriculture to climate change. Kühn, Stefan. Cattenom Nuclear Power Plant. ©2005 CCSA-2.5 History and Philosophy of Science investigates the impact of science and technology on the environment, from agriculture to climate change.
Kühn, Stefan. "Cattenom Nuclear Power Plant." wikimedia commons, 2005. (CCSA-2.5)

For current HPS students

Our History and Philsophy of Science staff