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Study information

Knowledge and Reality 2

Module titleKnowledge and Reality 2
Module codePHL1002B
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Joel Krueger (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

100

Module description

The aim of this module is to introduce you to core topics in western philosophy. The course will revolve around a number of questions: What is the mind? What is the self? Does God exist? Why is there evil? Are we free? What should we do? How should we live? In considering these questions, you will become acquainted with some of the main historical movements in western philosophy, as well as with basic concepts and theories in core areas of philosophy such as epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion, and moral philosophy. No special knowledge is required, but it would be helpful to have attended the first part of this module, Knowledge and Reality 1.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to introduce you to core topics in western philosophy. The course will revolve around a number of questions: What is the mind? What is the self? Does God exist? Why is there evil? Are we free? What should we do? How should we live? In considering these questions, you will become acquainted with some of the main historical movements in western philosophy, as well as with basic concepts and theories in core areas of philosophy such as epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion, and moral philosophy.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Become familiar with the major movements in the history of philosophy and a familiarity with the basic concepts and theories in the areas of epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and moral philosophy.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 2. Analyze arguments, criticize texts, and write well-argued essays, and question received ideas.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Construct and evaluate ideas, to formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction, to assess and criticize the views of others.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

  • What is the mind?
  • What is the self?
  • Does God exist?
  • Why is there evil?
  • Are we free?
  • What should we do?

How should we live? 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
27.5122.5

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity27.511 x 2.5 hours per week comprising of lectures and seminars
Guided Independent study 122.5Private study time

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Seminar presentationOne 5 minute report on some aspect of the topic under discussion1,2,3Oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
50500

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay501,500 words1,2,3Written
Examination 501 hour 1,2,3Written
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
EssayEssay (1,500 words)1,2,3August/September reassessment period
Examination Examination (1 hour)1,2,3August/September reassessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

René Descartes (1641), Meditation VI, Meditations on First Philosophy.

Hilary Putnam (1981), Chapter 1 of Reason, Truth, and History, “Brains in a Vat”

David Hume (1739), excerpt from A Treatise of Human Nature.

Jean-Paul Sartre (1943), “Patterns of Bad Faith”, from Being and Nothingness.

Genevieve Lloyd (1979), “The Man of Reason”, Metaphilosophy, 10, 18-37.

Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1077-1078), chapters 1-4 from The Proslogion.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – vle.exeter.ac.uk

Key words search

Knowledge Reality Philosophy Human understanding  

Credit value15
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

29/04/2022