| Unit name | Space, Time and Matter |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL20053 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Karim Thebault |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
What is space? What is time? What is matter? The aim of this unit is to examine the different answers that have been put forward to these fundamental metaphysical questions within natural philosophy. Particular focus will be placed upon ancient philosophy (Presocratics, Plato, Aristotle), early modern natural philosophy (Descartes, Newton, Leibniz) and 18th/19th century physical theory (Boscovich, Maxwell, Mach). Students will be provided with a self-contained introduction to relevant areas of physics, with the key mathematical and physical ideas discussed in parallel to the philosophical debates.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. demonstrate detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of the key debates within the philosophy of space, time and matter,
2. demonstrate detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of the key historical and contemporary literature concerning these debates and positions,
3. demonstrate the ability to critically engage with and philosophically analyse those key debates, and the key historical and contemporary literature concerning them, with a sophistication appropriate to level I/5.
4. Demonstrate skills in the written presentation of complex material in a standard appropriate to level I/5.
5. demonstrate independent research skills of a standard appropriate to level I/5.
Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment.
FORMATIVE: Digital Collaborative Presentation, [ILOs (1)-(3), (5)] SUMMATIVE: 1 x 3000 word essay - 100% [ILOs (1)-(5)]
Huggett, Space From Zeno to Einstein, Bradford Books MIT (1999)
Hesse, Forces and Fields, Dover Publications (2005)
Salmon, Zeno's Paradoxes, Hackett Publishing (2001)
Jammer, Concepts of space, Dover Publications (2003)
