The subject of this course is science. Its purpose is to introduce students to contemporary philosophical thought about the nature of science. We will begin with questions such as the following: What is the “scientific method", and does it differ from other methods for obtaining knowledge?; In what sense can science be said to make progress?; Is scientific knowledge objective?; Is historical science (paleontology, etc.) inferior to experimental science?; Do “theoretical entities” such as electrons and DNA really exist? To bring these difficult philosophical issues to life, we will explore an exciting scientific debate that is currently occurring, namely, the debate over the extent and cause of the great Permian extinction, which occurred around 250 million years ago (before the age of the dinosaurs), and is thought to have almost ended life on Earth! We will also explore the creation/evolution debate through the eyes of one of the world’s leading biologists who accepts the theory of evolution and also believes in God!