Studying at York
Philosophy of Time - PHI00008I
- Department: Philosophy
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. David Ingram
- Credit value: 10 credits
- Credit level: I
- Academic year of delivery: 2020-21
- See module specification for other years: 2019-20
Module summary
In this module we will consider some of the following central questions about time. Is time unreal? Can there be time without change? What is the fundamental nature of temporal reality? Is the present moment ontologically special (e.g. is it that only present things exist), or do all actual times, past, present, and future, have equal standing? Does time flow?
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching cycle |
|---|---|
| A | Spring Term 2020-21 |
Module aims
To introduce a specialist area of philosophy, in this case the metaphysics of time.
Module learning outcomes
To introduce students to some of the central philosophical questions concerning the nature of time, and enable students to engage critically with recent discussion
Module content
In this module we will consider some of the following central questions about time. Is time unreal? Can there be time without change? What is the fundamental nature of temporal reality? Is the present moment ontologically special (e.g. is it that only present things exist), or do all actual times, past, present, and future, have equal standing? Does time flow?
Assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Philosophy of Time |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
The formative assessment consists of a 1,500-word essay, due in Week 8 of the Spring Term.
The summative assessment consists of a 1-hour exam during the Common Assessment Period of the Summer Term (Weeks 5 - 7).
Reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Philosophy of Time |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
Written feedback will be provided on formative work 2 weeks after submission.
Written feedback on assessed summative work will be available 4 weeks after submission.
Indicative reading
McTaggart, J. M. E. 1908: 'The Unreality of Time'. Mind, 17, pp. 457-74.
Prior, Arthur N. 1968: 'Changes in Events and Changes in Things', in his Papers on Time and Tense (Oxford: OUP). Reprinted in Robin Le Poidevin and Murray MacBeath (eds), The Philosophy of Time. Oxford, OUP, 1993, pp. 35-46.
