Unit information: Knowledge and Reality in 2018/19

Unit name	Knowledge and Reality
Unit code	PHIL10034
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Horsten
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	N/A
Co-requisites	N/A
School/department	Department of Philosophy
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will introduce students to some of the central issues and arguments in contemporary metaphysics and epistemology and to some of the key tools used in contemporary analytic philosophy. Topics covered may include universals, causation, modality, the analysis of knowledge, contextualism, ontological commitment, vagueness, supervenience and reduction, and the analysis of definite descriptions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the key issues and arguments in contemporary metaphysics and epistemology,
2. Demonstrate an ability to engage critically with these issues and arguments,
3. Demonstrate familiarity with some key literature on these issues and arguments and to engage critically with this literature,
4. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the key tools used in contemporary analytic philosophy and be able to deploy these themselves,
5. Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others to analyse philosophical ideas and arguments, using the key tools of analytic philosophy, and to work together collaboratively as a group to produce a written report upon the relevant ideas and arguments.

Teaching Information

22 x 1 hour lectures

11 x 1 hour seminars

Assessment Information

Formative: 1,000 word essay designed to test ILOs 1-4.

Summative: take home exam (85%) designed to test ILOs 1-4.

Summative: collaborative written report (1000 words) giving a clear and effective summary and explanation of issues and ideas covered in the unit. (15%) Designed to test ILOs 1-5.

Reading and References

Lowe, E.J. A Survey of Metaphysics, OUP, 2002.

Crane, T., and K. Farkas, (eds.) Metaphysics: A Guide and Anthology, OUP, 2004.

Gettier, E., “Is Justified True Belief Knowledge?” Analysis, 23, 121–123, 1963.

Steup, M., and E. Sosa, (eds.), Contemporary Debates in Epistemology, Blackwell, 2005.