PHIL30820 Hume and Kant

Academic Year 2023/2024

In this course we will survey, through selected primary source readings, the overall views of two of the most important philosophers of the Eighteenth century Enlightenment period: David Hume and Immanuel Kant. (For background, you can check out the lecturer's book in the library: James R. O'Shea, _Kant's Critique of Pure Reason: An Introduction_, Routledge 2014 [Acumen 2012].) Topics will include all or some of the following: scepticism and the nature of knowledge and belief; consciousness and the nature of the self; perception, identity, and causality; freedom, morality, and religion. Hume's empiricist and sceptical naturalist outlook was famously opposed by the 'transcendental idealism' of Kant. Descendents of Humean and Kantian views are vital to disputes today across the spectrum from metaphysics and epistemology to aesthetics, morality, and political philosophy, so this course will provide useful background for many of our other modules. (Students should be aware that Kant's writing in particular is often difficult to grasp and would be best approached by students who have already completed one or more philosophy modules.)

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Having completed this module students should be able to articulate the central claims in Hume's Enquiry concerning Human Understanding and in Kant's groundbreaking Critique of Pure Reason. Students will also be able to identify some of the leading characteristics of that period of thought known as the Enlightenment. The module will help students to understand and think creatively about central notions in epistemology and metaphysics, to gain facility with such concepts as empiricism, transcendental arguments, causal inference, our knowledge of space and time, substance and identity, the unity of consciousness, and sceptical questions arising from problems of perception and objectivity. One central learning outcome will be further developing one's ability to structure an interpretive and argumentative essay in philosophy clearly and forcefully, improving one's ability to produce good analytical, argument-based written work in general. Students will gain practice in thinking hard about complex concepts and argument forms both in their historical context and in their continuing importance today.

Indicative Module Content:

This module provides a complete introduction to the central themes in Hume's epistemology and in Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, also providing background on the Enlightenment and on Hume and Kant's predecessors..

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

23
Tutorial

7
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In addition to lectures (including welcoming any questions at all from students), the analytical and interpretive essay will focus on improving critical thinking skills and logical analysis of texts, concepts, and arguments. If there are any very short online assignments and/or a quiz these would seek to enhance basic accumulating knowledge of central concepts, the interpretation of and critical reflection on key texts, and imaginative reflection on the various conceptual issues raised. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It is highly recommended, but not strictly required, that students have completed at least one philosophy course previously, before attempting this course, as the readings from Kant’s Critique are quite technical and difficult (although deep and interesting, too!).

** IMPORTANT NOTE: In years prior to 2020 this module was taught at level 2 as 'PHIL20060 Hume & Kant', and in 2020-21 it was taught at level 3 as 'PHIL30820' but under the different module title: 'Kant's Critique of Pure Reason'. Those modules were the same in content as this present module, so IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY TAKEN PHIL20060 or PHIL30820, YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Additional Information:
** IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have previously taken PHIL20060 'Hume and Kant' (i.e. at level 2 in years prior to 2020) or PHIL30820 'Kant's Critique of Pure Reason', you cannot take this module (the content is the same).


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Short in-class or take-home written assignments or other continuous assessment activities in tutorials and/or lecture. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Examination: Final examination during the normal UCD exam hall period. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

50
Examination: In-class mid-term examination. Unspecified No Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
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 individually to students, post-assessment.

Name Role
Mr. Gent Cakaj 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 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 11 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 11 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn