2. Introduction 90L52609 Philosophy of Social Science (6 ECR)
Teacher: Professor Matti Häyry

3. Objectives
The aim of the course is to support your research process and to develop your analytical skills in research-related reading, writing, and thinking.
The course offers an opportunity to use basic philosophical tools in identifying the main normative and conceptual features of different research approaches.

4. Contents The themes touched upon during the course include
the ethical and rhetorical dimensions of the social sciences;
the normative underpinnings of social research, business studies, and moral and political philosophy;
the main features of universalist and positional approaches to research; and
views of reality as a natural phenomenon and as a social construction.

5. Participant tasks 1/11
Preliminary literature exam – done How was it? Observations?
Participation in sessions and excursions.
Homework – literature to be discussed during the course sessions.
Facilitation of a discussion possibly with 1-2 other participants, on a homework topic.
Two presentations of your research topic.

6. Participant tasks 2/11
Participation in sessions and excursions. Assessment: Pass / Fail.
You need to attend 12 events and complete your designated tasks.
The preliminary exam was not an event.
A lecture-discussion / student presentation session is an event – there are 10 of those.
You need to do a minimum of 2 excursions.
If you miss a lecture-discussion session (or sessions), it needs to (they need to) be compensated by extra excursions.

7. Participant tasks 3/11
Possible excursions include attending presentations in:
MPPRS = Moral and Political Philosophy Research Seminar, University of Helsinki, Wednesdays 16-18, Unioninkatu 40 –
OIVA = Justice and Its Alternatives in a Globalising World Lecture Series, Aalto University, Wednesdays 17-19, lectures and discussion in Finnish –

8. Participant tasks 4/11
If you are feeling particularly brave, you can attend:
PoS = Philosophy of Science Seminar, University of Helsinki, Mondays 14-16, Unioninkatu 40 –
Since this is ”real” philosophy of science, you may need to work a little bit harder, but it can be rewarding, if the topic suits your mentality. Good luck!
Others are possible, but consult me first.

9. Participant tasks 5/11
When you do your excursions, you need to complete a Reflective Learning Diary and send it to me.
The form is available through MyCourses, and its has been sent to you by last week.
It is pretty self-explanatory, but let us go through the main items and see if you have questions.
→ Paper copies

10. Participant tasks 6/11
Homework – literature to be discussed during the course sessions. Assessment: Pass / Fail. Participants have to show their familiarity with the materials during sessions.
I will make this available if and when applicable.
Since, however, we aim to work in a “flipped classroom”, I will normally just give you general guidelines, and you will come to the classes prepared to tell me what you know (cf. facilitated discussions).

11. Participant tasks 7/11
Facilitation of a discussion, possibly with 1-2 other participants, on a homework topic Assessment: Pass / Fail.
You have been divided into four groups, and given your topics (check – next slide).

12. Participant tasks 8/11 Student groups and facilitation topics:
Group I – POSITIVISM
Olga Lavrusheva, Tuan Nguyen
Group II – INTERPRETIVISM
Anila Kiran, Venkata Marella
Group III – ETHNOGRAPHY
Ari Kuismin, Maria Del Rio Olivares
Group IV – Positionality, -lism
Marleen Wierenga, Thomas Taussi

13. Participant tasks 9/11
Facilitation of a discussion, possibly with 1-2 other participants, on a homework topic Assessment: Pass / Fail.
You have been divided into four groups, and given your topics (check – next slide).
The group responsible for a session will get us started and keep the discussion going, with questions that I will provide.
The rest of the class will also have the list of questions, and they should be prepared to discuss them.

14. Participant tasks 10/11
Two presentations of your research topic – one general, one more detailed. Assessment: Pass / Fail.
19 October and 2 November: theme – topic – what you hope to find out – research question(s) – how you intend to answer them – general methodological approach ( min)
23 and 30 November, 7 December: specific methodological approach – how exactly do you think this will help you get the answers – the alternatives and challenges ( )

15. Participant tasks 11/11 Presentations dates – speak up if need be.
19 October (4 general presentations):
Anila, Olga, Thomas, Tuan,
2 November (4 general presentations):
Ari, Maria, Marleen, Venkata
23 November (2 specific presentations):
Olga, Tuan
30 November (3 specific presentations):
Ari, Thomas, Venkata
7 December (3 specific presentations):
Maria, Marleen, Anila,

16. Lectures – schedule 28 September Sources of error in economics (MH)
5 October
Scientific realism (JAL)
12 October
Social constructivism (JAL)
16 November
Ethics as science – business ethics as an approach to business studies (MH)

17. Missing lecture-discussion sessions
Formally speaking, these can be compensated by excursions, whatever their number.
But their content is the backbone of the course in terms of your learning outcomes – in your “more specific” presentation you are expected to compare your own chosen approach and method to others.
If you miss more than one, we need to find a way for you to learn the appropriate contents.
If you know or believe this to be the case, approach me and we will sort it out.

18. Questions?

19. Self-introductions Name From Studies and experience Why in Aalto
Research topic or idea(s)
Course expectations
What do you want to do with your life?

20. How many to MPPRS today? Marko Ahteensuu, PhD
Docent in Practical Philosophy, University of Turku
“Risk, Calamity, and Apology”
Metsätalo, Unioninkatu 40, Seminar room 5
* Walking distance: 1,8 km (22 minutes)
* Public transportation (10-minute walk):
Metro Kamppi – Helsingin yliopisto
Departures 15:48 and 15:58