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Kant's Copernican Revolution - PHI00097I

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  • Department: Philosophy
  • Module co-ordinator: Mr. Andrew Ward
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2020-21
    • See module specification for other years: 2019-20

Module summary

Kant's Critique of Pure Reason is, by common consent, one of the most important and influential works of modern philosophy, both for those in the analytic and continental traditions. Topics to be covered include: Kant's 'Copernican revolution in metaphysics', his reply to Hume's causal scepticism, the distinction between phenomena (appearances) and noumena (things-in-themselves), and his defence of freedom of the will.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching cycle
A Spring Term 2020-21 to Summer Term 2020-21

Module aims

• To provide an introduction to Kant’s theoretical philosophy (his theory of knowledge and metaphysics).

• To develop skills in the interpretation and critical analysis of historical texts.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

—understand and explain a range of key problems, issues, and debates in Kant's philosophy and express this understanding in clear, precise, and accessible terms

—develop and articulate ranges of alternative solutions to problems and issues in Kant's philosophy in an open-minded way, drawing on module materials

—develop and articulate arguments for the alternative solutions considered in relation to problems and issues in Kant's philosophy, drawing on module materials, identifying some points of weakness and some potential points for development

—make a judgement about what is the best view on a particular problem in Kant's philosophy and argue in defence of this judgement

—identify some of their strengths and weaknesses by evaluating their own work in relation to departmental marking criteria

—apply simple strategies for improving their work, based on critical reflection, advice, and feedback

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay 2500 words		 N/A 70
Online Exam
Kant's Copernican Revolution		 N/A 30

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay 2500 words		 N/A 70
Online Exam
Kant's Copernican Revolution		 N/A 30

Module feedback

Feedback on formative work will be returned within 2 weeks of submission, and by the end of term at the latest. Feedback on summative work will be returned within 4 weeks of the assessment deadline.

Indicative reading

Primary Literature

Kant, I. Critique of Pure Reason.

Kant, I. Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics.

Recommended Secondary Literature

Guyer, P Kant (London: Routledge, 2006 or 20014 edition)

Strawson P F The Bounds of Sense (Methuen: 1975)

Ward, A Kant: The Three Critiques (Cambridge: Polity, 2006).

Ward, A. Starting with Kant (London: Continuum, 2012)


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.