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Study information

Knowledge and Reality 1

Module titleKnowledge and Reality 1
Module codePHL1002A
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Jonathan Davies (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
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 ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
27.5123

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity 27.5Weekly 1.5 hour lecture + 1 hour seminar
Guided Independent study88Private study time (weekly course readings, exam preparation etc.)
Guided Independent study35Preparation for formative essay

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Paper report250 words1-11Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
08020

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Questionnaire2020 minutes1, 5, 10Written
Examination801 hour 30 minutes1-11Written
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
QuestionnaireQuestionnaire (20 minutes)1, 5, 10August/September reassessment period
ExaminationExamination (1 hour 30 minutes)1-11August/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.

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

22/02/2022