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851-0125-07L 1 Credits BSC , DS , SHE D-USYS , D-PHYS , D-INFK , D-BIOL , D-GESS , D-CHAB

Colloquium Introduction into the philosophy of nature

Kolloquium Einführung in die Naturphilosophie: Gesetzmässigkeit, Zufall, Freiheit?

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Michael Hampe
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:29:41

Abstract

the lecture will give an overview over some systems of philosophy aof nature since there is an experimental mnatural science. We will look at fundamental terms of these systems like "law", "chance", "cause", space" and "time" and consider the conceptual constellations , in which they appear as possible obejcts of a philosophy of nature in our time.

Objective

The lecture aims at sharpening the consciousness for the difference betwen experimental and non-experimental modes of thought about natural processes.

Content

"There is nothing supernatural". This is a typically modern conviction, that show that for most men today "nature" and "reality" means the same. That was not always so. "World", "reality" and "nature" are terms, that meant different "things" for quite a long time in the history of thought in europe. Thus for most men in acinent greek nature ended at the moon, Beyond the moon there was world, but not nature. That what startet behind the moon was supposedly more perfect than nature. These differences of perfection dissappeared out of the understanding of reality in modern times. The lecture will analyse this development by looking at influential conceptions of nature and world in ancient and modern times.

Resources

Lecture Notes

The script can be dowloaded from the following webpage:http://www.phil.ethz.ch/education/ProtoskriptNaturphilosophie.pdf

Literature

Literaturhinweise werden im Laufe der Veranstaltung gegeben.

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC , DS , SHE
Frequency
Every two years

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Schreiben eines Protokolls

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
colloquium Kolloquium Einführung in die Naturphilosophie: Gesetzmässigkeit, Zufall, Freiheit?
  • By Appointment None-None
2 h weekly

Offered In