Semantic Externalism (U04095)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PPL-3-U04095

This course is about semantic externalism and its discontents?the view that propositional contents and hence the contents of intentional mental states are individuated in part by facts external to the individual who are in those states. We will first look at Putnam?s influential twin-earth argument and the ways in which Burge extended Putnam?s argument. Then we will examine the possibility of reconciling semantic externalism with self-knowledge, and we will explore the anti-sceptical resources typically associated with semantic externalism. Finally we turn to a problem about how wide content mental states can be if not causally efficacious, then at least causally relevant.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Philosophy 2A or Philosophy 2B

Subject Areas

Home subject area

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

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
13/01/2009	09:00	10:50			Dugald Stewart Building room 3.10

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	09:00	10:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

To develop further the philosophical skills, and to extend as well as deepen the philosophical knowledge, acquired in previous philosophy courses.

Assessment Information

The course will be assessed by one 1500 word essay due roughly half way through the semester and a final 2000 word essay due at the end of the semester. The first essay will make up 40% of the assessment and the second essay will be worth 60% of the final assessment.