Philosophy
Current Students: Undergraduates
Core modules and Options at Level 10
PHI9PB - Practical Reasoning
Outcomes
Theories of practical reason are concerned with a range of normative issues relating to action. For example, what sort of thing is a reason for action? Do all, some, or none of our reasons depend on our desires? Do moral considerations necessarily provide reasons for action, or is there sometimes most reason to be immoral? What kinds of failures of practical reasoning are possible, and how do they occur? Might such failures sometimes even be rational? These are the kind of questions we will consider in this module. We will begin by focusing on questions about the relationship between rationality and morality - about whether there is always most reason to be moral. We will then move on to consider various issues about irrationality. Here we will focus in particular on issues about the nature and possibility of weakness of will.
Aims and Intended Learning Outcomes
It is hoped that by the end of the semester students have developed a detailed picture of the strengths and weaknesses of a number of theories of practical reason, and have gained a deepened understanding of the theoretical issues underlying our normative thought and practice. The module further aims to improve critical reading, critical thinking, and oral communication skills through the seminar discussion and essay writing processes.
Reading Material
Required readings will be available in a coursepack.
The following two collections also contains lots of useful material:
Elijah Millgram (ed) |
Varieties of Practical Reasoning | MIT Press 2002 |
Berys Gaut and Garrett Cullity (eds) |
Ethics and Practical Reason | OUP 1997 |
There is also a coursepack containing seminar readings, which is also required
Availability: |
Honours (semester 5 or7), 3 Year Degree; General Degree. |
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Prerequisite: |
Any level 9 Philosophy module |
Assessment: |
Course work (one required essay, 2,000-2,500 words in length) 50%; examination (3 questions in 3 hours) 50%. Students may choose to submit a second essay to improve their coursework grade. |
Teaching Pattern: |
Two one-hour lectures and one one-hour seminar each week. |
Regulations: |
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. |
Please contact Jonathan Way if you would like to know more about this module.