PY5218 Modern Philosophy

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

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 11

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

To be confirmed.

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

Module coordinator

Dr A Douglas

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

Module Staff

To be confirmed

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 will explore issues in Modern Philosophy, broadly defined as covering the 17th - 19th century. Topics will vary from year-to-year, but some examples are: the question of how knowledge is possible, and what its basis is (the senses, innate ideas in the mind, etc.); the metaphysics of the mind and its place in nature (materialism, dualism, idealism, etc.); the foundations of the State (social contract theories, etc.); the justification of religious beliefs and their place in society; and so on. The module will largely focus on the Western tradition, but the important role that colonialism and encounters with other cultures played in shaping thought during this period will be addressed. The module will also explore contributions from women and ethnic minorities that have traditionally been overlooked in the history of philosophy.

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Scheduled learning hours

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

Guided independent study hours

176

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

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to explain what is meant by "Modern Philosophy" as a historical label, noting the relevant debates around that term.
By the end of the module, students will be able to explain the continuing legacy of Modern Philosophy for current ways of thinking about topics such as knowledge, religion, the individual, the State, and the law.
By the end of the module, students will be able to summarise and critically analyse key arguments from key Modern Philosophers such as Descartes, Locke, Cavendish, Kant, etc.
By the end of the module, students will be able to defend their own views concerning the arguments put forward for various positions within Modern Philosophy, e.g. empiricism, rationalism, materialism, dualism, idealism, monism, monadism, social contract theory (in different versions), etc.
By the end of the module, students will be able to locate and critically discuss the most relevant and high-quality scholarship on specific figures and topics in Modern Philosophy.