Second year modules
PY2001 | PY2002 | PY2003 | PY2004 | PY2101 | PY2103 | PY2902
PY2001 Formal and Philosophical Logic
10 credits
This module aims to develop understanding of formal logic, by the study of certain systems of classical, modal, and other non-classical logics; and of many of the attendant philosophical issues, such as the notions of possible and impossible worlds, and of the right logical account of indicative and counterfactual conditionals.
| Semester: | 1 |
| Credits: | 10 |
| Time: | Tuesday, Friday 2:00pm - 3:00pm, Arts Seminar Room 4 |
| Teaching: | 1 or 2 lectures per week, weekly logic classes and fortnightly tutorials |
| Coordinator: | Aaron Cotnoir |
| Tutorial times: | Example Classes: running weekly from week 2 Group 1: Thursday 9 – 10, Edgecliffe G01 Group 2: Thursday 9 – 10, Edgecliffe G03 Group 3: Thursday 10 – 11, Edgecliffe G01 Group 4: Thursday 1 – 2, Edgecliffe G01 Group 5: Thursday 2 – 3, Edgecliffe G03 Tutorials: running fortnightly, weeks 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11 Group 1: Monday 9 – 10, Arche Seminar room Group 2: Monday 11 – 12, Arche Seminar room Group 3: Tuesday 12 – 1, Arts Seminar Room 4 Group 4: Friday 11 – 12, Edgecliffe G01 Group 5: Friday 12 – 1, Arche Seminar Room |
PY2002 Metaphysics and Science
10 credits
This module is an introduction to the philosophy of the sciences, and is designed to be accessible to students from both arts and science backgrounds. We will consider philosophical issues raised by the natural sciences, including such issues as the nature of space and time, determinism and indeterminism, and the importance of explanation and induction in the methods of science.
| Semester: | 1 |
| Credits: | 10 |
| Time: | Monday, Thursday 2:00pm - 3:00pm, School V |
| Teaching: | 2 lectures per week plus 8 tutorials per semester. |
| Coordinator: | Patrick Greenough |
| Additional lecturers: | Katie Harrington |
| Tutorial times: | Tutorials: wks 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 Group 1: Monday 10 – 11, Arche Seminar room Group 2: Monday 12 – 1, Arche Seminar room Group 3: Monday 1 –¬ 2, Arche Seminar room Group 4: Wednesday 9 ¬– 10, Arche Seminar room Group 5: Wednesday 10 – 11, Arche Seminar room Group 6: Friday 9 – 10, Edgecliffe G01 Group 7: Friday 10 – 11, Edgecliffe 104 |
PY2003 Ancient Philosophy
20 credits
In the course of this module, we shall study the ancient Greek roots of Western philosophy. Most time will be spent on the foundational theories of Plato and Aristotle, but we shall also cover a selection from the following figures and movements: the 'Pre-Socratic' philosophers; the 'sophists'; Socrates; Epicurus; the Stoics. Topics discussed will include a wide range of philosophical issues.
| Semester: | 1 |
| Credits: | 20 |
| Time: | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 3:00pm - 4:00pm, Buchanan Lecture Theatre |
| Teaching: | 3 or 4 lectures and a tutorial per week. |
| Coordinator: | Sarah Broadie |
| Additional lecturers: | Tom Angier |
| Tutorial times: | Group 1: Monday 10 – 11, Edgecliffe G01 Group 2: Monday 11 – 12, Edgecliffe 104 Group 3: Monday 12 – 1, Edgecliffe 104 Group 4: Tuesday 9 – 10, Edgecliffe G01 Group 5: Tuesday 1 - 2, Edgeclife G01 Group 6: Wednesday 9 – 10, Edgecliffe G01 Group 7: Wednesday 10 – 11, Edgecliffe 104 Group 8: Thursday 11 – 12, Old Class Library, Medieval History Group 9: Friday 10 – 11, Edgecliffe G01 Group 10: Friday 12 – 1, Edgecliffe 104 Group 11: Friday 2 – 3, Old Class Library, Medieval History |
PY2004 Modern Philosophy from Descartes to Kant
20 credits
This period during the history of philosophy saw great changes and developments; key ideas and writings from this time form the backdrop for philosophical debate even to the present day. This module will introduce students to the central philosophers, texts and issues of the period, providing a firm historical background for further study in philosophy.
| Semester: | 2 |
| Credits: | 20 |
| Time: | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 2:00pm - 3:00pm, Irvine Lecture Theatre |
| Teaching: | 3 or 4 lectures and a tutorial per week (tutorial times tba) |
| Coordinator: | Brian McElwee |
| Additional lecturers: | Tom Angier |
| Tutorial times: | Group 1: Monday 9 - 10, Edgecliffe G01 Group 2: Monday 10 – 11, Edgecliffe G01 Group 3: Monday 11 – 12, Arche Seminar room Group 4: Tuesday 9 - 10, Edgecliffe G01 Group 5: Tuesday 10 – 11, Arche Seminar room Group 6: Tuesday 11 – 12, Arche Seminar Room Group 7: Tuesday 4 – 5, Arche Seminar room Group 8: Thursday 11 – 12, Arche Seminar room Group 9: Thursday 12 - 1, Edgecliffe G01 Group 10: Thursday 4 - 5, Arche Seminar Room Group 11: Friday 10 – 11, Edgecliffe 104 Group 12: Friday 1 – 2, Edgecliffe 104 |
PY2101 Aesthetics
10 credits
This module provides an introduction to several of the main issues in aesthetics. It does so by critically examining the views of some of the major philosophers and literary figures who have written on aesthetics, and by discussing some of the main theories in aesthetics. Writers whose views may be discussed include Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Tolstoy and Collingwood. Theories covered may include intentionalism, formalism, constructivism, postmodern and feminist approaches.
| Semester: | 2 |
| Credits: | 10 |
| Time: | Monday, Thursday 3:00pm - 4:00pm, Arts Lecture Theatre |
| Teaching: | 2 lectures per week plus 8 tutorials per semester (tutorial times tba) |
| Coordinator: | Dan Cavedon-Taylor |
| Additional lecturers: | Roger Scruton |
| Tutorial times: | Tutorials: wks 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 Group 1: Monday 12 – 1, Arche Seminar room Group 2: Thursday 12 - 1, Arche Seminar room Group 3: Thursday 1 - 2, Arche Seminar room Group 4: Friday 9 – 10, Edgecliffe G01 Group 5: Friday 1 – 2, Edgecliffe G01 Group 6: Friday 2 – 3, Arche Seminar room Group 7: Friday 3 – 4, Arche Seminar room |
PY2103 Rationality and Action
10 credits
We appeal to reasons both in explaining why people behave as they do and in explaining why they ought to behave in some way. But what sort of thing is a reason? How does it relate to our desires and preferences? What does it mean to say that a particular action is rational? When should an action be considered free or voluntary? Why do we fail to act rationally, and act contrary to what we judge to be right? And what are the conditions that undermine responsibility for the way we act? This module provides a critical introduction to these and other questions about the nature of practical rationality.
| Semester: | 2 |
| Credits: | 10 |
| Time: | Tuesday, Friday 3:00pm - 4:00pm, Arts Lecture Theatre |
| Teaching: | 2 lectures per week plus 8 tutorials per semester (tutorial times tba) |
| Coordinator: | John Haldane |
| Tutorial times: | Tutorials: wks 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 Group 1: Tuesday 1 - 2, Arts Seminar Room 9 Group 2: Wednesday 11 - 12, Arche Seminar room Group 3: Wednesday 12 - 1, Arche Seminar room Group 4: Thursday 10 – 11, Edgecliffe G03 Group 5: Thursday 11 – 12, Castlecliffe, Seminar Room 12 Group 6: Friday 9 - 10, Arche Seminar room Group 7: Friday 1 - 2, Arts Seminar Room 8 |
PY2902 Knowledge, Mind and Reality
20 credits
This module aims to develop critical understanding of the classical period of metaphysics, epistemology and moral theory. The module will be an introduction to the thought of Hobbes, Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume and Kant, through the study of selected writings. Specific attention will be paid to these philosophers’ views of knowledge, thought, personal identity, freedom and the basis of society and morality. Such study remains an indispensable introduction to contemporary philosophy.
| Semester: | 2 |
| Credits: | 20 |
| Teaching: | 1 x 2.5-hour session per week: lectures and tutorials |
| Coordinator: | Katie Harrington and Tom Angier |
| Additional lecturers: | Derek Ball |