Knowledge and Reality 1
| Module title | Knowledge and Reality 1 |
|---|---|
| Module code | PHL1002A |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Jonathan Davies (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 100 |
|---|
Module description
This module introduces you to classical epistemological and metaphysical questions such as ‘how do we know what we know?’ and ‘what is there?’. It presents and analyses some classical questions of the nature of reality and discusses subjects such as innate knowledge, scepticism, empiricism and common sense.
You will consider the early modern debate between rationalists and empiricists, as well as older and newer treatments of such related issues as Decartes’ cogito, substance, idealism and the value of metaphysics. You will gain an understanding of technical terminology such as epistemology and metaphysics and be able to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of these views.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to introduce you to classical epistemological and metaphysical questions. It presents and analyzes some classical answers to the question of how we know what we know, and about the nature of reality. The module discusses the early modern debate between rationalists and empiricists, as well as older and newer treatments of such related issues as innate knowledge, substance, scepticism and the value of metaphysics
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. define various technical terms pertaining to epistemology and metaphysics
- 2. present and discuss different philosophical claims concerning the nature of knowledge and reality
- 3. evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various epistemological and metaphysical views;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. summarize and discuss several philosophical theories;
- 5. demonstrate knowledge of essential philosophical concepts;
- 6. break down philosophical arguments and evaluate them;
- 7. present and justify their own philosophical views with appropriate arguments
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. communicate ideas clearly and appropriately by written and oral means;
- 9. discuss abstract ideas in a clear and competent way;
- 10. engage with on-line interactive material and discussion;
- 11. engage critically with the assigned readings;
- 12. engage productively in group discussion.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
How do we know what we know? (innate knowledge, scepticism, Descartes' cogito, empiricism, common sense). What is there? (the notion of substance, primary and secondary qualities, idealism, Kant's a priori, a critique of metaphysics).
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27.5 | 123 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 27.5 | Weekly 1.5 hour lecture + 1 hour seminar |
| Guided Independent study | 88 | Private study time (weekly course readings, exam preparation etc.) |
| Guided Independent study | 35 | Preparation for formative essay |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper report | 250 words | 1-11 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 80 | 20 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Questionnaire | 20 | 20 minutes | 1, 5, 10 | Written |
| Examination | 80 | 1 hour 30 minutes | 1-11 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Questionnaire | Questionnaire (20 minutes) | 1, 5, 10 | August/September reassessment period |
| Examination | Examination (1 hour 30 minutes) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Plato, Meno. ca. 380 BC. (Hackett, 1981)
Plato, Republic. ca. 380 BC (Penguin, 2003)
R. Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy, 1641. [various translations and editions]
J. Locke, Essay concerning Human Understanding, 1690. [various editions]
W. Leibniz, New Essays on Human Understanding, 1675. [Cambridge University Press 1996]
D. Hume, Enquiry concerning Human Understanding, 1748. [various editions]
G. Berkeley, Principles of Human Knowledge, 1734. [various editions]
I. Kant, Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics, 1783. (Hackett, 2003)
Norton, D.F. (1981) “The Myth of ‘British Empiricism’”. History of European Ideas, vol.1 no.4, pp.331-344.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2005 |
| Last revision date | 22/02/2022 |
