An Introduction to the Philosophy of Climate Science

This course introduces and explores the philosophy of climate science, focusing on how scientific models, data, and predictions shape our understanding of climate change. We will trace the history of the discipline, beginning with the discovery of the Americas and its impact on prevailing notions of space; moving through the revolution in the concept of time with Hutton’s notion of “deep time” and Darwin’s theory of evolution; and continuing to the establishment of the IPCC and key international climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement. The course will also address contemporary questions, including uncertainty, scientific explanation, ethical considerations, and the influence of values in climate research and policy. By integrating perspectives from philosophy, science, and society, students will be encouraged to critically examine how knowledge about the climate is produced, communicated, and applied in decision-making.

For each lesson, you will have to read an article (around 10 pages) that we will discuss together in class. The last two lessons of the course will be open to deepen specific aspects of the course and to discuss your questions and doubts.