Podcast
Questions and Answers
In which publication can Niccoló Macciavelli's 'Il Principe' be found?
In which publication can Niccoló Macciavelli's 'Il Principe' be found?
- A History of International Relations Theory
- The globalization of world politics
- Classical Readings of International Relations (correct)
- Leviathan
Who is the author of 'Leviathan', a classical reading in International Relations?
Who is the author of 'Leviathan', a classical reading in International Relations?
- Rex Warner
- Thomas Hobbes (correct)
- Thucydides
- Niccoló Macciavelli
What is the title of the 1996 publication by Andreas Osiander?
What is the title of the 1996 publication by Andreas Osiander?
- Introduction to International Relations
- The interdependence of states and the theory of interstate relations (correct)
- Classical and modern thought on International Relations
- A History of International Relations Theory
Which publication is edited by John Baylis, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens?
Which publication is edited by John Baylis, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens?
Who are the authors of 'Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches'?
Who are the authors of 'Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches'?
In which publication can Thucydides' 'History of the Peloponnesian War' be found?
In which publication can Thucydides' 'History of the Peloponnesian War' be found?
Who edited 'International Relations in Political Thought: Texts from the Ancient Greeks to the First World War'?
Who edited 'International Relations in Political Thought: Texts from the Ancient Greeks to the First World War'?
What is the title of the 1997 publication by Torbjörn Knutsen?
What is the title of the 1997 publication by Torbjörn Knutsen?
What is the primary goal of the discipline of philosophy of science?
What is the primary goal of the discipline of philosophy of science?
What are the three types of assumptions that a philosophy of science is based on?
What are the three types of assumptions that a philosophy of science is based on?
What is referred to as the 'theory or philosophy behind a theory of International Relations'?
What is referred to as the 'theory or philosophy behind a theory of International Relations'?
What are the characteristics of assumptions in philosophy of science?
What are the characteristics of assumptions in philosophy of science?
What is the origin of the concept of assumptions in philosophy of science?
What is the origin of the concept of assumptions in philosophy of science?
What is the role of assumptions in theory building?
What is the role of assumptions in theory building?
What is the nature of assumptions in philosophy of science?
What is the nature of assumptions in philosophy of science?
What is a similar concept to assumptions in philosophy of science?
What is a similar concept to assumptions in philosophy of science?
What does the positivist account of science prioritize?
What does the positivist account of science prioritize?
What is the core epistemological position of positivism?
What is the core epistemological position of positivism?
What is the source of knowledge according to empiricism?
What is the source of knowledge according to empiricism?
What is the focus of scientific inquiry in the positivist account of science?
What is the focus of scientific inquiry in the positivist account of science?
What is the epistemological status given to the human mind in rationalism?
What is the epistemological status given to the human mind in rationalism?
What is the requirement for theories and hypotheses in the positivist account of science?
What is the requirement for theories and hypotheses in the positivist account of science?
Which historical tradition does empiricism draw upon?
Which historical tradition does empiricism draw upon?
What is the opposite epistemological position to empiricism?
What is the opposite epistemological position to empiricism?
When did the philosophy of science emerge as a recognizable field of study?
When did the philosophy of science emerge as a recognizable field of study?
Who was the holder of the first chair of 'History and Theory of Inductive Science' established in Vienna in 1895?
Who was the holder of the first chair of 'History and Theory of Inductive Science' established in Vienna in 1895?
Which of the following is NOT a reason why philosophy of science has become attractive to the social sciences?
Which of the following is NOT a reason why philosophy of science has become attractive to the social sciences?
What is the object studied in the philosophy of science discipline?
What is the object studied in the philosophy of science discipline?
Who are associated with philosophical thought about the nature of science and scientific study in ancient Greece?
Who are associated with philosophical thought about the nature of science and scientific study in ancient Greece?
What is a consequence of the progress of natural sciences in modern societies?
What is a consequence of the progress of natural sciences in modern societies?
What is a characteristic of the philosophy of science in International Relations?
What is a characteristic of the philosophy of science in International Relations?
When will we come back to the ideas of science inherent in the philosophy of ancient Greek philosophers?
When will we come back to the ideas of science inherent in the philosophy of ancient Greek philosophers?
What is the study of the nature of being, existence, or reality in general?
What is the study of the nature of being, existence, or reality in general?
What is the main difference between ontology, epistemology, and methodology?
What is the main difference between ontology, epistemology, and methodology?
What is an example of an ontological claim?
What is an example of an ontological claim?
What is the term for the study of how a 'universal' relates to a 'particular'?
What is the term for the study of how a 'universal' relates to a 'particular'?
What is the purpose of Step 2 in understanding the nature of a philosophy of science?
What is the purpose of Step 2 in understanding the nature of a philosophy of science?
What is the focus of a philosophy of science?
What is the focus of a philosophy of science?
What is true about all systems of knowledge and the idea of knowledge about the world?
What is true about all systems of knowledge and the idea of knowledge about the world?
What is the relationship between different philosophies of science within the philosophy of science as an overall discipline?
What is the relationship between different philosophies of science within the philosophy of science as an overall discipline?
Study Notes
Required Reading and Philosophy of Science
- Required reading includes Thucydides' "History of the Peloponnesian War", Niccoló Machiavelli's "Il Principe", Thomas Hobbes' "Leviathan", and other classical readings of international relations.
- The philosophy of science emerged as a recognizable field of study in the 1920s and 1930s with the Vienna Circle and Karl Popper.
- The formation of philosophy of science as an academic discipline can be traced back to the end of the 19th century.
Philosophy of Science and International Relations
- Philosophy of science positions are often referred to as "meta-theory" or the theory behind a theory of international relations.
- The object of study in philosophy of science is the nature and practice of science itself.
- Any philosophy of science is based on three types of assumptions: ontological, epistemological, and methodological.
Assumptions in Philosophy of Science
- Assumptions are propositions taken for granted and not subject to proof as "true" or "false".
- Assumptions serve as a starting point for deducting or inferring theory to derive logical conclusions.
- The idea of assumptions originates in ancient Greek philosophy and logic.
Ontology, Epistemology, and Methodology
- Ontology is the philosophical study of the nature of being, existence, or reality in general.
- Ontological questions include "What is there?", "What is?", and "What exists?"
- Epistemology is the philosophical study of knowledge, and empiricism is a core epistemological position in positivism.
- Methodology is the practice of science and the specific methods of gaining knowledge.
Empiricism and Positivism
- Empiricism claims that there must be an empirical foundation for knowledge, and knowledge ultimately results from sensual observation and experience.
- In the positivist account of science, only statements about phenomena that can be observed or experienced count as knowledge.
- Theories and hypotheses are only acceptable if they can be inductively proved through experience and observation.
Historical Development of Empiricism
- Empiricism was largely developed through British Empiricism and is associated with the works of Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, David Hume, and Adam Smith.
- Empiricism draws on a long historical tradition of philosophical thought that goes back to ancient Greece.
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Description
Explore the foundations of international relations and philosophy of science through classical readings and key thinkers of the 20th century.
