PP2HKW2-Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 2

Module Provider: Philosophy
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Sev.J. Schroeder
Email: s.j.schroeder@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module continues the study Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein, and their respective conceptions of philosophy (in PP2HKW1), by contrasting them with another philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer and his distinctive ideas of the nature of philosophy.

Aims:

This module will consolidate students’ study of Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein, by introducing them to Schopenhauer’s philosophy, hugely influenced by Hume and Wittgenstein, but proffering a very different approach to philosophy.  We’ll be looking at Schopenhauer’s version of Kantian idealism and its original combination with an empiricist metaphysics of the will.  Finally, we’ll study Schopenhauer’s ethics, which opposed Humean ideas to Kant’s rationalist ethics.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will gain a general idea of Schopenhauer’s philosophy, enabling them to compare and contrast it with the conceptions of philosophy studied in PP2HKW1.  They will be able to assess the main arguments, and understand why the issues covered are important. 

Additional outcomes:

Students will have thought more carefully about the nature of their subject.  They will develop skills of abstract thinking, which in turn will help promote their critical thinking skills and their general evaluation of arguments. Their discussion of the issues will also develop their oral skills and build on their ability orally to articulate abstract arguments and concepts.

Outline content:

Topics covered on the module will typically include:

Idealism, the metaphysics of will, the free will problem, ethics of compassion.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is taught by lectures and seminars. Students are expected to attend 15 hours of lectures/seminars.  All students are required to write an essay from a list of questions supplied by the module convenor.  Students are encouraged to be active in all classes, asking questions and trying to answer the questions posed by others. A reading list and sample questions will be given out at the start of the module. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures			10
Seminars			5
Guided independent study:			85
Total hours by term	0	0	100
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:

1 x written project-assignment, including essay: 1,500 – 2,000 words

Formative assessment methods:

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:

Written assignment, to be completed in August

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 30 March 2023