701-0016-00L Philosophical Issues in Understanding Global Change
| Semester | Spring Semester 2016 |
| Lecturers | G. Hirsch Hadorn, C. J. Baumberger, R. Knutti |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Comment | Number of participants limited to 9. Priority is given to D-ERDW and D-USYS Master's and doctoral students. |
Courses
| Number | Title | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 701-0016-00 S | Philosophical Issues in Understanding Global Change This seminar is offered at the ETH and the University of Bern. There are four seminar sessions, each lasting 4 hours. The sessions take place from 13:45 to 17:15. The places alternate between Zurich and Bern in the following way 18.03. Berne UniS A-119 Schanzeneckstrasse 1 08.04. Zurich CHN P12 Universitätstrasse 16 29.04. Berne UniS A-119 Schanzeneckstrasse 1 20.05. Zurich CHN P12 Universitätstrasse 16 | 1 hrs | G. Hirsch Hadorn, C. J. Baumberger, R. Knutti |
Catalogue data
| Abstract | This course investigates the potentials and limitations of models and computer simulations that aim at understanding global change. We also discuss the limitations of observations and the role of results from models and computer simulations in decision making on policy for sustainable development. |
| Learning objective | Students learn to reflect on concepts, methods, arguments and knowledge claims based upon computer simulations by critically analysing and assessing topical and recent research papers from philosophy and the sciences. |
| Content | Global change is not just a major real-world problem, but also a challenge for the natural and social sciences. The challenge is due to the spatial and temporal scales considered, the diversity, complexity and variability of aspects involved, and, last but not least, the descriptive, pragmatic and normative questions raised by global change. This course investigates the potentials and limits of research methods such as modelling for understanding global change with a focus on climate change, and it discusses the role of results from modelling and computer simulations in decision making on policy for sustainable development. In the seminar, topics such as the following are discussed: (1) What is a model? What are purposes and potential pitfalls of modelling? What are the basic steps of modelling? (2) What are computer simulations and what is their relation to models? How do we learn about the real-world by running computer simulations? How do computer simulations differ from classical experiments? (3) What do data tell us about the problem we are investigating? What are the difficulties in assessing and interpreting data? (4) What is the role of results from modelling and computer simulation in decision making on policy for sustainable development? Which questions for policy can be answered in this way? What are the consequences of uncertainties for policy making? |
| Lecture notes | A set of papers from philosophy and from science to be discussed and a guide to analyzing texts are provided. |
| Literature | The papers to be discussed in the seminar sessions and guidelines about the analysis of texts are provided. |
| Prerequisites / Notice | This seminar is offered at the ETH and the University of Bern. There are four seminar sessions, each lasting 4 hours. The sessions take place from 13:45 to 17:15. The places alternate between Zurich and Bern in the following way 18.03. Berne UniS A-119 Schanzeneckstrasse 1 08.04. Zurich CHN P12 Universitätstrasse 16 29.04. Berne UniS A-119 Schanzeneckstrasse 1 20.05. Zurich CHN P12 Universitätstrasse 16 In the first meeting, participants are introduced to methods on how to read a philosophical paper. For each meeting, every participant answers a couple of questions about the paper scheduled for discussion. This preparation will take about 4-5 hours for each paper. Answers have to be sent to the lecturers before the seminar takes place and provide a basis for the discussion. All students that have subscribed will get the questions and text for the first meeting by email. Seminar discussions are chaired jointly by lecturers from philosophy and from science. Interest in interdisciplinary reading and discussion is a prerequisite. The number of participants from ETH is limited to 9, in total to 18. Requirements for 2 CP: (1) Answer the questions about the text before the meetings (4 times), (2) At the end of the semester, write a final essay of about 2-3 pages pages about a topic discussed in our meetings. This essay should be delivered until 3 weeks after the end of the spring semester. Master or PhD students of D-USYS or students of Atmosph. + Climate Science MSc have priority. |
Performance assessment
| Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again) | |
Performance assessment as a semester course | |
| ECTS credits | 2 credits |
| Examiners | G. Hirsch Hadorn, C. J. Baumberger, R. Knutti |
| Type | ungraded semester performance |
| Language of examination | English |
| Repetition | Repetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit. |
Learning materials
| No public learning materials available. | |
| Only public learning materials are listed. |
Groups
| No information on groups available. |
Restrictions
| Places | 9 at the most |
| Priority | Registration for the course unit is until 25.02.2016 only possible for the primary target group |
| Primary target group | Atmospheric and Climate Science MSc (661000)
Doctorate Earth and Planetary Sciences (664002) Environmental Sciences MSc (736000) Doctorate Environmental Sciences (739002) |
| Waiting list | until 29.02.2016 |
Offered in
| Programme | Section | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Sciences Master | Minor in Global Change and Sustainability | W |  |
| Environmental Sciences Master | Policy Engagement | W | |
| Environmental Sciences Master | Electives | W | |