APPLICATIONS OF EPISTEMIC PRINCIPLES IN MEDICAL SCIENCE
Explore the intellectual framework upon which medical science is built. Epistemology is the science and theory of knowing. It asks, "When is belief justified?" Gain an understanding of the foundational principles of epistemology, including rationalism and empiricism, and apply them to the development of medical knowledge. Assess the validity of claims, including the relative value of competing claims in the context of medical controversies. Uncover the epistemic blunders that led to mistaken beliefs in the medical profession and develop habits to resist repeating such mistakes in the present and future. Consider how our epistemological beliefs affected our responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: MED SC-M 810 , 811 , 812 , and 813 Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Compare and contrast the promises and pitfalls of empiricism and rationalism in the context of medical science. Audience: Graduate 2. Describe how the Evidence-Based Medicine movement fits in a historical context. Audience: Graduate 3. Evaluate studies on the grounds of internal and external validity. Audience: Graduate 4. Judge the validity of competing claims in a scientific controversy. Audience: Graduate 5. Identify early warning signs of epistemic blunders and build mental habits to protect against them. Audience: Graduate 6. Anticipate the epistemic challenges posed by novel or rapidly changing circumstances. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Compare and contrast the promises and pitfalls of empiricism and rationalism in the context of medical science. Audience: Graduate 2. Describe how the Evidence-Based Medicine movement fits in a historical context. Audience: Graduate 3. Evaluate studies on the grounds of internal and external validity. Audience: Graduate 4. Judge the validity of competing claims in a scientific controversy. Audience: Graduate 5. Identify early warning signs of epistemic blunders and build mental habits to protect against them. Audience: Graduate 6. Anticipate the epistemic challenges posed by novel or rapidly changing circumstances. Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027