Question Reality! Science, philosophy, and the search for meaning

University of Mumbai via edX

edX

6 Courses


The University of Mumbai is a public state university situated in Mumbai, India. It was founded in 1857, making it one of the country's oldest and most distinguished universities. It provides a broad array of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses in various disciplines.

Overview

Click here for the Portuguese version.

Delve into the mysteries of the physical world with "Question Reality! Science, philosophy, and the search for meaning," a course that explores the boundaries of human knowledge. What limits exist in our understanding of the universe? Can everything be explained, or do barriers exist beyond which we cannot venture in our quest for comprehension? Discover how far we can go in explaining the fabric of physical reality.

Join us on a historical journey across the evolution of thoughts on reality's nature, from the ancient philosophers of Greece to the forefront of quantum physics and the mysteries of consciousness. This course is a deep dive into how our perception of reality has evolved alongside scientific discovery and philosophical inquiry.

Participants will develop the skills to:

  • Engage in discussions about the latest scientific breakthroughs across varied fields such as cosmology, quantum mechanics, and cognitive science.
  • Highlight pivotal moments in history where scientific progress reshaped our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
  • Reflect upon and analyze their views of the world, noting any shifts in perspective gained through the course.
  • Articulate arguments based on scientific data, philosophical debates, and the interpretation of both.
  • Understand the scientific method, recognize its limitations, and see how it's employed to build our knowledge of reality.

With guidance from Marcelo Gleiser, a renowned physicist and author, alongside leading experts, this course examines the efforts of philosophers and scientists, from Plato to Einstein, to unveil the essence of the cosmos and reality itself.

Offered in both English and Portuguese, the course includes subtitled videos, bilingual discussion forums, and assignments to accommodate learners of both languages.

This course is an initiative by the Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Engagement at Dartmouth (ICE), aiming to enhance the conversation between the sciences and humanities in academic circles and the public domain, addressing vital questions that demand a cross-disciplinary approach.

Provided by edX and hosted by the University of Mumbai, this course falls under several categories: Critical Thinking, Philosophy, and Science.

Syllabus


Taught by

Marcelo Gleiser, Adrienne Gauthier, Michael Goudzwaard, Jay Beaudoin, Lora Leligdon and Sawyer Broadley


Tags

united states

provider edX

edX

302 Courses


edX

pricing Free Online Course (Audit)
language English
duration 6 weeks, 2-4 hours a week
sessions On-Demand
level Beginner