Undergraduate Course: Belief, Desire and Rational Choice (PHIL10159)
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 | This course introduces the basics of contemporary decision theory, discusses general norms on rational belief and desire, and investigates whether decision theory can serve as a functionalist framework to define the concepts of (graded) belief and desire. |
| Course description |
Decision theory systematizes the connection between belief, desire, and rational choice -- very roughly, that rational agents act in a way that would bring them closer to satisfying their desires if the world were as they believe it to be. After introducing the basic framework of decision theory, this course will focus on two questions. First, does rationality impose constraints on what an agent may believe or desire, and if so, what are these constraints? Second, can we turn around the principles of decision theory and define (or explicate) an agent's beliefs and desires in terms of their choices?
Decision theory has proved useful in many areas of philosophy, from philosophy of science to epistemology to political philosophy. Unfortunately the literature is often difficult and technical. A central aim of this course is to isolate the simple ideas behind those technicalities.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Logic 1 (PHIL08004)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 Philosophy courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2016/17, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| 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) |
Class presentation: 20%
Final essay (2500 words): 80%
|
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
|
| Academic year 2016/17, Part-year visiting students only (VV1)
|
Quota: 0 |
| 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) |
Class presentation: 20%
Final essay (2500 words): 80%
|
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Students will have developed skills in understanding, interpreting, and critically engaging with philosophical texts, and learn not to be intimidated by formulas.
- Students will have seen how superficially very different areas of philosophy may be closely connected, and they will have gained insights that could prove useful in other areas.
- Students will have practised critical thinking, constructive discussion, and development of their own ideas.
- Students will have practised presenting the content of a research article.
- Students will have practised writing a critical essay on decision theory, the nature of rationality, and/or the problem of intentionality.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Philosophy,Belief,Rational,Choice,Desire |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Wolfgang Schwarz
Tel:
Email: Wolfgang.Schwarz@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Samantha Bell
Tel: (0131 6)50 3602
Email: sam.bell@ed.ac.uk |
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