Philosophy
Current Students: Undergraduates
Directed Independent Study
PHI9XA - The Possible and the Necessary
Electives
Electives are modules of Directed Independent Study. The work you do on such modules is ‘directed’ in the sense that guidance is provided by staff taking the module. However, the aim is that students should research independently on a topic or series of topics. The guidance is designed to encourage and assist you in this and provide you with feedback on your ideas.
The Possible and the Necessary
Modal notions—paradigmatically, the notions of necessity and possibility—play a central role not only in science and philosophy, but also in everyday life. For instance, we use the safety belt because we could have an accident (and we want to minimize human damages). In general, we use modal notions to express what can or must happen, or what would have happened had things been different.
Despite this central role, it is not clear how we should analyse modal notions. What exactly do we mean when we say ‘we could have an accident’? Could we explain that in non-modal terms? When we say the non-modal claim ‘this table is brown’, we can point to a portion of reality that makes that sentence true—namely, the brownness of the table. However, what makes modal claims true? When we say ‘this table could break’, what is it, in reality, that makes that sentence true?
This course introduces the topic of modality without assuming previous familiarity with it, and examines a widely accepted view—the view that we need possible worlds—that provides answers to the questions above.
Coordinator Sonia Roca-Royes
Room A74, Phone: x7594,
Teaching
There will be five two-hour meetings (roughly fortnightly). Classes take the form of interactive group tutorials, rather than the usual diet of lectures and seminars.
Reading
The required course text is Joseph Melia, Modality, Acumen Publishing.
Assessment
Two essays, totalling around 3,000 words. Titles and submission dates to be discussed with, and approved by, the module coordinator. No examination.
For further information about this module please contact Sonia Roca-Royes.