PY4661 The Philosophy of the Climate Crisis

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

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 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

To be confirmed.

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

Module coordinator

Dr D N Ball

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

Module Staff

Dr Derek Ball, Dr Mara van der Lugt

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

Module description

Climate science tells us that the planet is heating. This module will focus on philosophical issues about how we should think and act given this fact. Topics to be discussed may include: How should we understand the models used to make these predictions, and how should we understand models and predictions in science generally? How can we make rational decisions in the face of an uncertain future? How should we think and talk about the climate crisis, and why might our concepts or the language that we use matter? What are our ethical responsibilities with respect to the climate, including our responsibilities to future people? How should we think about the value of human lives and of the natural world itself? How should we think about groups and their responsibilities? What obligations and responsibilities are associated with political protest?

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1012

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment