PP3WWP-World Views in Western Philosophy

Module Provider: Philosophy
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof John Preston
Email: j.m.preston@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

What is a world view? What counts a world view, and why? Can world views be evaluated (as true or false, adequate or inadequate), or do we just have to accept that some other people have a different world view, and leave it at that? Are world views the kind of thing that people are consciously aware of, or not? Might they somehow be more subterranean than that? Could there be someone who has no world view?

This module covers the idea of a world view, some of the history of that concept, its critical evaluation, and certain uses of the concept in Western philosophy. We look at: the history of the concept in German philosophers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; how scientists came to make use of the concept from the mid-nineteenth century, and then some ways in which the concept of a world view and closely related concepts were used or critiqued by certain philosophers in the 20th century (including Ludwig Wittgenstein, Oswald Spengler, G.E.Moore, Michael Polanyi, Thomas Kuhn, and Donald Davidson).

Within the works of these philosophers, we look at: the remarks Wittgenstein made about world views from the time of his Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (1921) to his one of his last works, On Certainty (1949-51); G.E.Moore’s attempt to defend what he called ‘the common sense view of the world’, and Wittgenstein’s critique of that attempt; Michael Polanyi’s use of the idea of an ‘interpretation of nature’; Thomas Kuhn’s use of the term ‘paradigm’, and Donald Davidson’s critique of ‘the very idea of a conceptual scheme’.

(Note that Part 3 modules in the Department of Philosophy are driven by student interest: the University will not allow us to run any that do not enrol enough students (the minimum number is 12)).

Aims:

The programme of study in Philosophy is specifically designed to introduce you to progressive intellectual challenges and to consolidate your previous experience at each new level. This module fits into our graduated, supervised programme for developing independent-learning skills. It builds upon our Part 2 epistemology and history of philosophy modules.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, you will be able to critically evaluate the idea of a world view, some of its past applications in Western philosophy and science, and its potential applications. 

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Themes covered include the idea of a world view, the idea of a scientific world view, the idea that there is such a thing as the scientific world view, Western world views which might be rivals to the supposed scientific world view, and some ways in which the idea of a world view, and closely related concepts, have been used in Western philosophy.

Global context:

Students will learn about the history of the idea of a world view, as well as some major Western world views informed by philosophy and by science. These will include: religious world views (protestant and catholic), scientific world views of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and some ways in which the concept of a world view has been used by philosophers. In each case we will look at how proponents of different world views might dispute with one another about their status and prospects.

We will analyse the concept of a world view, attempting to say what counts (and what doesn’t count) as such, whether the concept is useful for philosophy and if so how.

We will also learn about important aspects of the thought of some the 20th century’s most important philosophers, including Ludwig Wittgenstein, Oswald Spengler, G.E.Moore, Thomas Kuhn and Donald Davidson. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is taught by lectures and seminars. Students are expected to attend 10 hours of lectures and 5 hours of seminars during the term in which the module’s lecture and seminar classes take place. All students are required to write a single essay from a list of questions supplied by the module convenor. The essay assignment will be due in the last week of term. In addition, students will be required to answer questions on the assigned pre-class reading in the seminar part of ev ery class. Students are encouraged to be active in all classes, asking questions and trying to answer the questions posed by others. A reading list will be posted on the module’s BlackBoard site at the start of the course.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		25
Advance preparation for classes		10
Preparation for seminars		10
Completion of formative assessment tasks		5
Essay preparation		30
Reflection		5
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One written assignment, of 2500-3000 words, due in week 11 of the term in which the module is taught.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will answer questions on the assigned pre-class reading in the seminar part of every class, and are expected to contribute fully to the in-class discussion.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall. 

Reassessment arrangements:

One written assignment, to be completed in August/September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: David K. Naugle, Worldview – The History of a Concept (Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 2002). 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022