PHIL 258Introduction to the Philosophy of Science
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Philosophy
- Cross-listed
- SCI 267
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
The sciences are widely considered to be one of our best sources of knowledge about the world. In this course, students will investigate the nature of scientific knowledge. Topics may include scientific methodology, the roles of values and social factors in scientific knowledge production, scientific revolutions, scientific explanation, and the scientific realism debate about whether our best scientific theories describe reality. Through readings and class discussions, students will learn how to apply and evaluate a range of accounts of how scientific knowledge is produced. In-class activities and assessments will develop students’ reading comprehension, as well as their oral and written communication skills.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Reviewed on UW Flow
25% liked it100% easy0% useful
From 4 ratings on UW Flow. Read them all on UW Flow.
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
8 posts and comments in 8 threads mention PHIL 258, December 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2019
SCI 267/ PHIL 258 1 point, 2 comments
[deleted]: “What the heck is this course? Has anyone taken it before and how was it?”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… 209W PHIL 215 PHIL 216 PHIL 220J PHIL 221 PHIL 226 PHIL 240 PHIL 247W PHIL 251 PHIL 256 PHIL 258 PHIL 265 PHIL 283 PHIL 284 PHIL 319J PHIL 320 PHIL 327 PHIL 329 PHIL 340 PHIL 356 PHIL 371 PHIL 420 PHIL 459 PHIL 482 PHIL 498 PHIL 670 PHIL 673 PHIL 675 PHIL 680A PHIL 696 PHIL 698 …”
Spring 2017
What courses are you taking this fall? 28 points, 129 comments
“With course selection and add/drop happening this week I figured this would be a cool discussion post. …”
u/bellwhistles: “PHIL 258 - Intro to Philosophy of Science PHIL 340 - Topics in Formal Philosophy PHIL 420 - Studies in Ethics: Puppies, Pigs, and the Polis PHIL 428 - Special Topics: Harm Reduction Might switch out the first two for other Phil courses though, and maybe add a fifth if I'm …”
Spring 2016
Anyone have experience with Sci 267/Phil 258 4 points, 2 comments
u/zwitterionz: “hey everyone, i'm looking for an elective to take this fall. phil 258 (cross listed as sci 267) seems fairly interesting. Just wanted to know how you found it if you've taken it in the past. thanks! btw this is my first post on reddit, hope ive formatted this ok”
Winter 2015
What are the "must take" courses taught by amazing lecturers at UW. I want to broaden my horizons a bit. 17 points, 54 comments
“I'm a grad student at UW, and I feel like I focus too much on my subject matter and therefore want to experience some great and intriguing lectures. …”
u/OiCMudkips: “… Purely from the course title, PHIL 258 (Philosophy of Science) seems like it would be pretty cool, coming from 110A, but I also don't know much about it.”
What is your favourite course you've taken at UW? 18 points, 63 comments
“I'd rather not stick to the exact beaten path of my major. I'd like to add in a few cool courses in my four years here. What's your favourite course?”
u/jeffhughes: “… PHIL 258: Philosophy of Science -- This is an illuminating look at how philosophers/scientists say science should be done, and how people actually do science. …”
Arts (PHIL/FR) Exam Bank? 0 points, 2 comments
u/uwaterloocashcow: “… I was curious, does the arts faculty have anywhere I could go to check out some past exams for PHIL 258 or FR 192B? PHIL 258 is also cross-listed as SCI 267. Any chance the science faculty has an exam bank? …”
Fall 2011
What's your most/least favourite course? 12 points, 77 comments
“Favourite: Algebra. MATH 135. Least Favourite: Linear Algebra. MATH 136. Frigging hate matrices. Tell us what your favourite/least favourite courses are and why! …”
[deleted]: “Favourites: CO 342, PHIL 100, PHIL 258, PHIL 208. Least favourite: STAT 231, FINE 112.”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them