PY4639 Philosophy of Creativity

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

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 B N Gaut

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

Module Staff

Prof B Gaut

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

Module description

This module examines some of the fundamental issues in the philosophy of creativity. Topics typically covered may include the definition of 'creativity'; the relation of creativity to imagination; the nature of the creative process; the relation of creativity to knowledge and skill; computational theories of creativity; Darwinian theories of creativity; the relation of creativity to tradition; whether creativity is a kind of virtue and its relation to moral and intellectual virtues; and whether creativity differs fundamentally between the arts and the sciences.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1012

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100% (2 x 3500 word essays)

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

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

Scheduled learning hours

40

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

252

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • display a good understanding of some of the definitions of 'creativity' and some of the central theories about creativity
  • critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of these definitions and theories
  • develop their own views about these issues
  • demonstrate that they can provide a reasoned defence of their views in written work and discussion