Spring 2022
LS 22 1 - LEC 1
Sense and Sensibility and Science
Sense and Sensibility and Science
Saul Perlmutter, Alison Gopnik, Johann David Anand Frick, Amy Fingerle
Jan 18, 2022 - May 06, 2022
We
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Internet/Online
Jan 18, 2022 - May 06, 2022
Fr
11:00 am - 11:59 am
Valley Life Sciences 2050
Class #:27908
Units:4
Instruction Mode:
In-Person Instruction
Offered through
Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
75
Enrolled: 279
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 354
Waitlist Max: 55
Open Reserved Seats:
1 reserved for Students with Enrollment Permission
Hours & Workload
3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials, 6 hours of outside work hours, and 3 hours of the exchange of opinions or questions on course material.
Final Exam
TUE, MAY 10TH
03:00 pm - 06:00 pm
Other classes by Saul Perlmutter
Other classes by Alison Gopnik
Other classes by Johann David Anand Frick
Other classes by Saul Perlmutter
Other classes by Alison Gopnik
Other classes by Johann David Anand Frick
Course Catalog Description
Every day we make decisions that can and should be informed by science. We make decisions as individuals, as voters, and as members of our various communities. The problem is, we don’t do it so well—a fact sadly apparent in political debates. This course aims to equip students with basic tools to be better thinkers. We will explore key aspects of scientific thinking that everyone should know, especially the many ways that we humans tend to fool ourselves, and how to avoid them—including how to differentiate signal from noise, evaluate causal claims, and avoid reasoning biases. We’ll then look at the best models for using science to guide decisions, combining both evidence and values, with the ultimate goal of bettering the world.
Class Description
Every day we make decisions that can and should be informed by science. We make decisions as individuals, as voters, and as members of our various communities. The problem is, we don’t do it so well—a fact sadly apparent in political debates. This course aims to equip students with basic tools to be better thinkers. We will explore key aspects of scientific thinking that everyone should know, especially the many ways that we humans tend to fool ourselves, and how to avoid them—including how to differentiate signal from noise, evaluate causal claims, and avoid reasoning biases. We’ll then look at the best models for using science to guide decisions, combining both evidence and values, with the ultimate goal of bettering the world.
We’re facing a world that seems to struggle with rational collective decision making. How can we take into account our values, fears, and aspirations while also grappling with and evaluating facts and evidence? We make decisions as individuals, as groups, and as a society; we find this challenge everywhere we turn. This year, the challenge of making good decisions as a society seems both more difficult and more important than ever. Over the centuries, scientists, psychologists, and philosophers have developed rigorous, yet open-minded ways of thinking about the world that can help us address these universal and pressing concerns. This course explores and directly engages with some of the most useful tools of scientific-style critical thinking, taking into account both psychological biases and philosophical underpinnings.
Class Notes
Berkeley Changemaker:
Two of the twelve sections of L&S 22 are part of the Berkeley Changemaker curriculum (https://changemaker.berkeley.edu/). These two sections will have discussions that draw a deeper connection to the Berkeley Changemaker mission of “Critical thinking, Communication, and C.. show more
Two of the twelve sections of L&S 22 are part of the Berkeley Changemaker curriculum (https://changemaker.berkeley.edu/). These two sections will have discussions that draw a deeper connection to the Berkeley Changemaker mission of “Critical thinking, Communication, and C.. show more
Berkeley Changemaker:
Two of the twelve sections of L&S 22 are part of the Berkeley Changemaker curriculum (https://changemaker.berkeley.edu/). These two sections will have discussions that draw a deeper connection to the Berkeley Changemaker mission of “Critical thinking, Communication, and Collaboration”, in addition to the same base course content as the other sections.
Hours & Workload
Each week, there will be two 1-hour lectures/plenaries and two 90-minute labs/sections. The class will be taught synchronously, partially in person and partially remotely for spring 2022. Attendance will be required (and pleasurable) for both in-person and online classes.
On The Use of Lecture Time:
Please note that while the Wednesday class time is listed as 10-12, we will only have class from 10-11 (and 10-11:30 on quiz days) to leave time for optional faculty office hours in the second half of Wednesday lectures!
After you Enroll:
After you register, please fill out the following survey so we get to know you better!
https://forms.gle/JhmUnodcvhFLiPsm6
Have additional questions? Please email us at sensesensibilityscience@berkeley.edu.
Co-taught by faculty from Physics (Saul Perlmutter, Nobel Prize 2011), Philosophy (Johann Frick), and Psychology (Alison Gopnik), L&S 22 satisfies the Philosophy and Values, Physical Science, or Social and Behavioral Sciences breadth requirement in the College of Letters & Science. For course announcements including any pre-course preparation/supplies, waitlist, or other information, please visit http://sensesensibilityscience.com/2022announcements/
For a list of topics discussed in the course, see http://sensesensibilityscience.com/schedule/ show less
Two of the twelve sections of L&S 22 are part of the Berkeley Changemaker curriculum (https://changemaker.berkeley.edu/). These two sections will have discussions that draw a deeper connection to the Berkeley Changemaker mission of “Critical thinking, Communication, and Collaboration”, in addition to the same base course content as the other sections.
Hours & Workload
Each week, there will be two 1-hour lectures/plenaries and two 90-minute labs/sections. The class will be taught synchronously, partially in person and partially remotely for spring 2022. Attendance will be required (and pleasurable) for both in-person and online classes.
On The Use of Lecture Time:
Please note that while the Wednesday class time is listed as 10-12, we will only have class from 10-11 (and 10-11:30 on quiz days) to leave time for optional faculty office hours in the second half of Wednesday lectures!
After you Enroll:
After you register, please fill out the following survey so we get to know you better!
https://forms.gle/JhmUnodcvhFLiPsm6
Have additional questions? Please email us at sensesensibilityscience@berkeley.edu.
Co-taught by faculty from Physics (Saul Perlmutter, Nobel Prize 2011), Philosophy (Johann Frick), and Psychology (Alison Gopnik), L&S 22 satisfies the Philosophy and Values, Physical Science, or Social and Behavioral Sciences breadth requirement in the College of Letters & Science. For course announcements including any pre-course preparation/supplies, waitlist, or other information, please visit http://sensesensibilityscience.com/2022announcements/
For a list of topics discussed in the course, see http://sensesensibilityscience.com/schedule/ show less
Rules & Requirements
Repeat Rules
Course is not repeatable for credit.
Requirements class fulfills
Meets Physical Science, L&S Breadth
Meets Philosophy & Values, L&S Breadth
Meets Social & Behavioral Sciences, L&S Breadth
Reserved Seats
Current Enrollment
Open Reserved Seats:
Textbooks & Materials
See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials