80-101 Dangerous Ideas in Science and Society
9 units, Carnegie Mellon University
Can humans turn into jaguars? Can we have rational, honest, even scientifically informed conversations about propositions that may strike many as radical or arcane? In this class, we will look into issues that are considered either socially or scientifically controversial, or both. The class will cover cultural differences between Western and Non-Western understandings of nature, an ancient dispute about gods and morality, scientific anarchism, as well as the potential political limitations and cultural relativity of arguments themselves. The whole class will also decide on several issues to analyze together. In addition, you will get to choose a controversial issue for your own student project and, throughout the semester, explore how to articulate both sides of that issue, how to find and evaluate historical or scientific evidence, and how to build a compelling philosophical argument based on your findings. There are no exams. Instead, there will be a steady and moderate workload in the form of weekly and bi-weekly assignments pertaining to our readings and your project. This allows you to receive continuous feedback on how well you apply the general concepts of this class to the individual issue you chose. Classes will be heavy on discussion and in-class activities with occasional short lectures.
Prerequisites: none listed
Offered: Spring 2027, Fall 2026
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