Undergraduate Course: History of Analytic Philosophy (PHIL10116)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Towards the beginning of the twentieth century, a group of philosophers sought to apply developments in logic and the study of language to traditional philosophical problems. These efforts resulted in the rich and influential tradition known as Analytic Philosophy, the predominate style of philosophy in the English speaking world. In this course, we will look at the early history of this movement, as reflected in the works of Frege, Russell, and Wittgenstein. This course will cover the philosophical climate in which these philosophers developed, their views on traditional philosophical issues, and the distinctive debates that arose within the emerging tradition.
Difficulties in understanding the foundations of mathematics led Frege and Russell to develop rigorous new ways of thinking about logic and language. These tools form the foundation of many developments in contemporary logic and linguistics. But Frege and Russell went beyond the investigation of logic, mathematics, and language. We will see how these tools were put to use in understanding the structure of human thought and the world it represents, and in resolving scientific puzzles. We will also examine the early Wittgenstein¿s more radical attempt to solve all philosophical problems by getting clear on how language is capable of representing the world.
Formative feedback available:
- the opportunity to submit a formative essay |
| Course description |
Towards the beginning of the twentieth century, a rich and influential tradition known as Analytic Philosophy emerged, which became predominate style of philosophy in the English speaking world. In this course, we will look at the early history of this movement, as reflected in the works of Frege, Russell, and Moore.
This tradition emerged from two trends. One trend was a rejection of the idealism that had become popular in philosophy in the 19th century. Idealism holds that the world is somehow dependent on our conception of it. Frege, Russell, and Moore each developed frameworks according which the world is objective, and is not altered by what we think about it. The other major trend was that philosophers sought to apply developments in logic and the study of language to traditional philosophical problems. Difficulties in understanding the foundations of mathematics led Frege and Russell to develop rigorous new ways of thinking about logic and language. These tools form the foundation of many developments in contemporary logic and linguistics. But Frege and Russell went beyond the investigation of logic, mathematics, and language. We will see how these tools were put to use in understanding the structure of human thought and the world it represents, and in resolving scientific puzzles.
This course will cover the philosophical climate in which these philosophers developed, their views on traditional philosophical issues, and the distinctive debates that arose within the emerging tradition.
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students:
at least 2 University level philosophy courses at the grade B level or above |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 25 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
1. Mid-term essay of 1,500 words (40%)
2. End-of-semester essay of 2,500 words (60%)
|
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
|
| Academic year 2015/16, Part-year visiting students only (VV1)
|
Quota: 5 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
1. Mid-term essay of 1,500 words (40%)
2. End-of-semester essay of 2,500 words (60%)
|
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
| The goal of the course is to help students come to a better understanding of contemporary debates in philosophy of language, mind, ethics, and philosophy of science, by deepening their understanding of the philosophical context of contemporary debates.
|
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | 20th century,Frege,Russell,Whitehead,Carnap,Ayer,Wittgenstein,Ryle,Austin,Quine. |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Bryan Pickel
Tel: (0131 6)51 5177
Email: bpickel@staffmail.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Susan Richards
Tel: (0131 6)51 3733
Email: sue.richards@ed.ac.uk |
|
© Copyright 2015 The University of Edinburgh - 18 January 2016 4:41 am
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