PY4622 Kant's Critical Philosophy

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be confirmed.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof J Timmermann

Prof J Timmermann
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Professor Jens Timmermann

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The purpose of this module is twofold. First, it examines the foundations of Kant's critical philosophy, often called 'transcendental idealism'. For this purpose, we shall read selections from Kant's Prolegomena (1783). Secondly, it will explore one of the three 'Critiques' Kant wrote as examples of this system: either (i) The Critique of Pure Reason (1781/87, describing the 'Copernican Turn' in Metaphysics and Epistemology), (ii) the Critique of Practical Reason (1788, a further exploration of the ethical theory of categorical commands as familiar from the Groundwork) or (iii) the Critique of Judgement (1790, Kant's theory of art and aesthetic judgement).

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1012

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour lecture and 1 x 1-hour seminar.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Show a solid grasp of the structure and main arguments in Kant's Critique of Practical Reason
  • Deploy their understanding of Kant's critical philosophy as a whole
  • Critically evaluate Kant's theory of moral consciousness, his conception of the nature of moral goodness, his theory of respect, and other key areas of his moral philosophy
  • Engage in close readings of historical texts and in the reconstruction of philosophical arguments