University of Stirling

Philosophy

Current Students: Undergraduates

 

Core modules and Options at Level 10

PHI9HJ - Materialism and Idealism

This module will explore central themes in the metaphysics and epistemology of Locke, Berkeley and Kant, specifically their theories concerning the nature of material things, our knowledge of them, and the role and origin of the concept of material substance. This will be achieved through first-hand study of selected parts of Locke’s Essay, Berkeley’s Principles, and Kant’s First Critique. (The module complements module PHI9CA Rationalism and Empiricism to provide an overview of the history of early modern philosophy, but may be taken independently of PHI9CA.)

Outcomes

The intended outcomes of the module are as follows:

  • knowledge and understanding of existing views on the set topics
  • an ability to think critically about the set topics
  • ability to express oneself on the set topics

This module, like all modules in philosophy, will foster a number of generally useful abilities, especially those concerned with rigorous analysis and clear communication. See the Philosophy Student Handbook, section B for a fuller statement of the intended outcomes of philosophy modules.

Reading

(1) Primary texts: 
John Locke An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (ed. K. Winker) Hackett
George Berleley The Principles of Human Knowledge, and Three Dialogue (Ed. H. Robinson) OUP World's Classics edition
Immanuel Kant Critique of Pure Reason (trans. N Kemp Smith) Palgrave-Macmillan

 

(2) A selection of helpful secondary texts: 
E.J. Lowe Locke on Human Understanding (Routledge Guidebook Series)
Jonathan Dancy Berkeley: An Introduction (Blackwell)
Sebastian Gardner Kant and the Critique of Pure Reason (Routledge Guidebook Series)

                

 

Availability:

 Honours semester 6/8, 3-year Named degree, General

Prerequisite:

 PHI9CA or PHI9CB

Assessment:

Course work (one required essay) 50%; examination (3 questions in 3 hours) 50%. Students may choose to submit a second essay to improve their coursework grade.

Teaching Pattern:

 Each week there will be two 1hr lectures and one 1hr seminar.

Regulation:

For the purposes of the University’s attendance regulation 14, seminars are prescribed classes. The rationale for prescribing these classes may be found in the Philosophy Student Handbook, section F. This section also contains regulations relating to the submission of essays, and other matters.

 

If you would like to know more about this module please contact the Philosophy Department Secretaries to arrange an appointment with Professor Peter Sullivan.