Boundary Concepts in the Sciences

Université de Namur, Belgium

General Description

Scientists often use concepts that are also used in non-scientific circles: “information,” “code,” “heritage,” “point of view,” “healing,” “new”… These “boundary concepts” can teach us a lot about what constitutes the difference between scientific and other-than-scientific practices, be that pseudo-sciences, politics, art or legal reasoning. At UNamur, boundary concepts are studied across a variety of sciences – physics, biology, medicine and the human sciences – in order to situate those sciences within society at large.

Research Centre

SPiN (Science & Philosophy in Namur) is a research centre that brings together philosophers and scientists to examine science in all its diversity, crossing epistemological, metaphysical, political and ethical approaches. ESST students take part in SPiN’s weekly research seminars and present their own work in progress at mini-conference meetings, receiving feedback from other students and researchers.

Elective Structure

Assessment is based on an oral exam drawing on a reading assignment in epistemology and philosophy of science. All compulsory activities are in English (some optional extra-curricular activities may be in French). No more than two or three students are admitted per year, to ensure high-quality supervision.