Thinking Scientifically

In this session, we’ll explore the meaning of science and discuss whether the scientific method can be meaningfully applied to the study of society. To do this, we’ll try to answer two questions: first, “What makes knowledge scientific?” and second, “With what must science begin?” For a jumping off point, we’ll review the philosophical face-off between matter and ideas—in other words, the struggle between materialism and idealism. We’ll also explore how to actually conduct a scientific study. In particular, we’ll be focusing on the relationship between investigation and analysis, on the one hand, and theory and practice, on the other.

Readings

Readings are required unless marked optional. Use the PDF links to read or save a copy. Original online versions are also linked where available.

• PDF
  PDF · 25 pages The Definition of Science

  the People’s University Project

  Read / download PDF: The Definition of Science Google Docs version: The Definition of Science
• PDF
  PDF · 3 pages Theses on Feuerbach

  Karl Marx

  Read / download PDF: Theses on Feuerbach Web version: Theses on Feuerbach Listen / download audio: Theses on Feuerbach

  Listen here: Theses on Feuerbach
• PDF
  PDF · 2 pages Where Do Correct Ideas Come From?

  Mao Zedong

  Read / download PDF: Where Do Correct Ideas Come From? Web version: Where Do Correct Ideas Come From? Listen / download audio: Where Do Correct Ideas Come From?

  Listen here: Where Do Correct Ideas Come From?
• PDF
  PDF · 36 pages [OPTIONAL] Activist Study (ARAK) Lesson 2

  Communist Party of Philippines

  Read / download PDF: [OPTIONAL] Activist Study (ARAK) Lesson 2 Web version: [OPTIONAL] Activist Study (ARAK) Lesson 2 Listen / download audio: [OPTIONAL] Activist Study (ARAK) Lesson 2

  Listen here: [OPTIONAL] Activist Study (ARAK) Lesson 2

Session slides

Session handout

Read the handout · Download handout PDF

Additional session material

Life of Galileo — Scene 12 (PDF)

Week 1 materials folder