Science History·Course
History & Philosophy of Science
History of science: from Copernicus to quantum physics, philosophy of science and technology ethics
Part of the Humanities track — finish it for a verifiable diploma →
§ 01 — Orientation
New here?
What you'll be able to do, who this is for, how long it takes, and where to begin.
By the end, you will be able to
- 01Follow the great scientific revolutions.
- 02Ask what makes a claim scientific.
- 03Understand how science and society shape each other.
- 04Reason about the ethics of technology.
- 05Read scientific authority critically.
Who this is for
How long it takes
- Quick orientationSkim the opening module and the cheatsheet to get the shape of it.~2 h
- Full read-throughRead every article once, in order.~2 h
- Mastery pathRead, take the quizzes, and space out your reviews.~2 weeks
- APA
Stoa. (2026). History & Philosophy of Science [Online course]. Stoa. https://stoa.school/course/science-history
- MLA
Stoa. “History & Philosophy of Science.” Stoa, 2026, https://stoa.school/course/science-history.
- Chicago
Stoa. “History & Philosophy of Science.” Stoa. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://stoa.school/course/science-history.
§ 02 — Curriculum
8 modules.
Each module is a small unit. Most read in sequence — but a determined reader can begin anywhere.
- M IScientific Revolutions: From Copernicus to EinsteinHow our worldview changed and what drove the great discoveries3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IIScience as an Institution: Method, Ethics, and SocietyPhilosophy of science, the scientific method, and the relationship between science and society3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IIIConsciousness, Life, and the BrainNeuroscience, consciousness, evolutionary biology, and the limits of the science of the human being3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IVThe Future of ScienceAI in science, multidisciplinarity, and science and society in the 21st century3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIslamic Science and the Middle AgesThe Golden Age of Islam and the transmission of ancient thought3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIScience and Society in the 20th CenturyNuclear physics, eugenics, and the military–industrial complex3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIIThe Computer Revolution and the Information WorldTuring, cybernetics, and the digital age3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIIIScience in the 21st Century: AI, Biotech, and ClimateThe scientific revolutions of our time and their consequences3 articles
18 minBegin →
§ 03 — Learning outcomes
4 outcomes.
Understand major scientific revolutions and their impact on worldviews.
Apply the concepts of Popper, Kuhn, and Lakatos to the analysis of science.
Analyze the relationships of science with politics, the economy, and the public sphere.
Evaluate ethical issues in scientific and technological development.
§ 04 — Practices