Module PHL1002B for 2018/9
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
PHL1002B: Knowledge and Reality 2
This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.
Module Aims
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.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 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. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 2. Analyze arguments, criticize texts, and write well-argued essays, and question received ideas. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 3. Construct and evaluate ideas, to formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction, to assess and criticize the views of others. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
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 and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27.5 | 122.5 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 16.5 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 11 | Seminar will allow for exploration of your own ideas and discussion between students and seminar leader. |
| Guided Independent study | 122.5 | Private study time |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
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.
