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Metaphysics and Epistemology (U00161)

? Credit Points : 40 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PPL-3-M&E-PH

The material covers a wide range of issues in current metaphysics and epistemology including:
- Metaphysics - universals and nominalism;
- modality and possible worlds;
- laws, dispositions and counterfactuals;
- metaphysics of mind;
- personal identity; realism, anti-realism and quasi-realism;
- truth-maker theory;
- Epistemology - causal, reliabilist and tracking theories of knowledge; scepticism;
- internalism and externalism;
- evidence and confirmation;
- a priori knowledge, methodology of science;
- perception and memory;
- testimony;
- feminist epistemology.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Philosophy 2A (PP0033) or Philosophy 2B (PP0034)

? Costs : None.

Variants

? This course has variants for part year visiting students, as follows

Metaphysics and Epistemology (VS1) (Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2))
Metaphysics and Epistemology (VS2) (Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4))

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Philosophy, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Full Year (Blocks 1-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 22 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 1 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
20/09/2007	10:00	10:50	Lecture Theatre, Robson Building	Med+Vet

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	10:00	10:50	Central
Lecture	Thursday	10:00	10:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : Tutorials: by arrangement

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The coursework involves close and critical analysis of various historical and current views on central issues in metaphysics and epistemology. Students are asked to read, critically assess and discuss some of the most important texts in these fields. Students are encouraged to develop their skills in individual research through the writing of essays, and to develop their critical, analytic and communication skills through informal discussion and oral presentations in tutorial groups.