Doctoral Program

PHILOSOPHY AND HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The doctoral degree program Philosophy and History of Science and Technology is built upon the collaboration of the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. Thus, the workplaces are both the Institute of Philosophy of the ASCR (Jilská 1, Prague 1) and the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, UWB (Sedláčkova 19, Plzeň). There is the possibility of a full-time or part-time form of study, with the standard length of 4 years and it is also accredited in English. The guarantor of this program is doc. PhDr. Vladimir Havlik, CSc.

Practical information and documents.

Introduction to Doctoral Studies

On this page, beginner Ph.D. students will find information on how and where to publish, what projects to engage in and others.

Study in doctoral study program at the Department of Philosophy of the Faculty of Arts of the University of West Bohemia in Plzeň in accordance with the wording of Act No. 111/1998 Coll. § 47 and according to the internal regulations of UWB and its faculties. The program is open not only to graduates of the Department of Philosophy of the University of West Bohemia, but also to graduates of master programs of other departments and universities and to students from foreign universities.

Basic information about the Ph.D. program:

• The study starts on the day of enrollment.
• You can study full-time or in combined (half-distance) form.
• The standard length of study is three years (+ 1 year) for full-time students and also for students in combined form.
• The maximum period of study is eight years.
• Students study mainly individually under the supervision of a supervisor, the support of a consultant is possible.
• The students’ study progress is monitored and evaluated by the Branch Council.
• Full-time students are provided with a scholarship.
• The study is duly completed by the state doctoral examination and the defense of the dissertation.
• As evidence of the proper completion of the program and ofthe acquisition of the relevant academic degree students receive a university diploma and a diploma supplement issued by the university at graduation.
• Graduates are awarded the academic title “Doctor” (abbreviated as “Ph.D.” after their name).

Program characteristics:

Due to its interdisciplinary character, the main objective of the doctoral degree program Philosophy and History of Science and Technology is to examine the origin and development of individual scientific hypotheses, concepts, and theories, together with their technical applications from the broader philosophical, historical and social perspective.

The purpose of this program is to deepen the systematic understanding of issues regarding philosophy, methodology, and history of science and technology, whereas philosophy is conceived as both a source and a critical reflection of the contemporary worldview and knowledge. Furthermore, the program aims to understand and interpret the historical development of science and scientific knowledge as part of cultural history. Thus, science is not examined separately, but in the context of social and cultural contexts – both in terms of the conditions for the emergence of scientific knowledge and its consequences, especially related to technical development. Technology, as a consequence of scientific development, is reflected on, with special regard to the extent to which technical developments change the concept of man and his relationship to the world.

In addition to the traditional historical-philosophical research of the history of science and technology, this program provides scope for theoretical reflection on new technologies, and therefore establishes a platform for interdisciplinary research, focusing particularly on topics concerning philosophy of language and mind, artificial intelligence, and cognitive sciences.

Profile and employability:

The graduates of this program demonstrate systematic knowledge of the history of philosophy and science and technology, are familiar with the current developments and conceptions in these disciplines both in the cultural and social context, whereas detailed knowledge of issues related to the topic of their dissertation is required.

The graduates can conduct independent and original scientific research activities. Special attention is paid to the critical choice of methods, the composition of an appropriate theoretical background, the ability to conduct analyses of theoretical and empirical evidence, and the personal contribution leading to the solution of problematic matters. They can conduct original research and carry out a rational reconstruction of the development of science, a scientific discipline, scientific theory, or a particular problem. Furthermore, they manage to critically analyze the current state of knowledge, independently formulate problems and solve them using innovative methods. They can present the results of their research orally or in the form of a professional publication or research project.

They know how to popularize science and technology and manage to defend their positions both before an expert commission and the general public in two world languages. The graduates show independence and professional and personal integrity, which are necessary for the critical evaluation of existing knowledge and professional approaches as well as for the proposition of new ones.

The graduates are therefore suitable for work in the academic and scientific research spheres, however, they are also equipped for pedagogical career or popularization activities. They can find employment not only at universities or research institutes but also in education and educational institutions or in cultural and historical institutions.