PY4677 Meditation as Philosophy: Mind, Self and Self-Consciousness

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.

Planned timetable

TBC

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

Module coordinator

Dr G W B Pedriali

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

Module Staff

Dr Walter Pedriali

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

Module description

Western philosophy, although often concerned with practical questions such as how one ought to live, almost invariably restricts itself to theoretical methods of enquiry. In this module, we examine other philosophical traditions, such as Zen Buddhism, that instead give great prominence to practical methods in the pursuit of their enquiries, most notably, breathing techniques and various forms of meditation. The module focuses on key philosophical issues raised by the adoption of non-theoretical modes of enquiry, including epistemological questions such as the justificatory status of non-alethic modes of knowledge-acquisition (e.g. meditation), and questions in the philosophy of mind concerning the conception of the Self developed and disclosed through meditation. The module also discusses ethical questions raised by a philosophical practice that appears to privilege individual attainment over socially shared commitments.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1012

Assessment pattern

Coursework - 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 lecture (X11 weeks), 1 seminar (X11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

33

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

Guided independent study hours

259

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • Navigate complex debates in comparative philosophy concerning how best to understand and conduct dialogues between different philosophical traditions
  • Clearly articulate and evaluate the theoretical and practical aspects of Zen Buddhism
  • Critically assess state-of-the art discussions in cognitive science regarding the enhancing role of meditation with respect to well-being and cognitive function
  • Examine and evaluate environmental debates in the light of a distinctive conception of our obligations to the environment informed by Zen Buddhism