PY4646 Reasons for Action and Belief

Academic year

2024 to 2025 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

Dr J Snedegar

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

Module Staff

Dr J Snedegar

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

Module description

In considering what we ought to do and believe we consider what reasons we have. For example, in deciding whether I should become a vegetarian or whether I should believe that climate change is occurring, I consider reasons for and against these things. The module will consider the nature of reasons and their relationship to claims about what I ought to do and believe. Since reasons are central to ethics; practical rationality, and epistemology, understanding reasons is crucial for understanding a huge swathe of philosophy. We explore these issues from both an epistemological and a practical perspective.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1006 OR PASS PY1012

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

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