PHIL20010 Rationalism and Empiricism

Academic Year 2023/2024

How do modern treatments of substance and causality differ from what came before? Do we require certain knowledge, or is probable knowledge enough? Do we really need to go outside nature to explain nature? Are there such things as innate ideas, or is the mind at its beginning a 'blank slate' awaiting sense impressions from outside? Does my identity lie in the unconscious, or in conscious experiences I can call my own, or both? In this course we will explore these questions, and others, by looking at the contrasting ideas and arguments put forward in the great philosophical traditions of Rationalism and Empiricism. Following a brief consideration of Descartes' later work, the philosophers to be examined in most detail will be Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley and Leibniz.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Ability to show a grasp of the central historical themes and ideas of the major empiricist and rationalist philosophers. Ability to identify the major arguments within and between the work of these philosophers and to engage wih these arguments. Ability to present well reasoned, textually sensitive and professionally presented accounts defending or attacking the positions of these philosophers with respect to the key issues they are concerned with. Ability to show what is of enduring philosophical worth in these ideas and arguments.

Indicative Module Content:

The nature of substance; mind and body; the nature of mind and world; dualism and monism; on the existence and nature of God; the nature and role of empirical experience; the question of innate ideas; personal identity; subjective idealism.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

7
Autonomous Student Learning

98
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and availability for discussion immediately before and after lectures and during office hours. Weekly tutorials and feedback on essays. Aims are to provide a sympathetic understanding and a critical perspective on the philosophical topics considered. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: One in semester essay, title to be specified on deadline announcement. Unspecified n/a Graded No

30
Examination: One two hour examination with three questions to be answered.
A single A4 page with notes on both sides can be brought into the exam.
 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

70

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback offered to students after grading of essays indicating strengths and weaknesses of same. Availability for feedback after examination.

Name Role
Haikyung Kwon Tutor
Nathan Mulder Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Mon 17:00 - 17:50
Autumn