Philosophical Analysis - PHI00111M

«Back to module search

Module summary

This module aim to introduce MA students with little or no philosophical background (or those who would simply like to brush up their skills) to (i) basic argumentation and the analysis of arguments, and (ii) close reading of demanding philosophical texts.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2025-26

Module aims

The module has two aspects. A series of lectures introduces various forms of argument (deductive, inductive, abductive) and some informal logical machinery used in them, as well as some ideas about dialectical engagement and the various different uses of arguments. Seminars focus on close reading of a variety of texts, from different periods and on different topics, to hone close reading and rational reconstruction skills. The texts are chosen to exemplify forms of argument or techniques introduced in the lectures. And some lectures are used to give context for the texts which will be discussed in seminars.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should:

• know about deductive, inductive and abductive forms of argument

• be able to construct various kinds of arguments for themselves

• be able to extract and reconstruct arguments from difficult texts

• be able to critically evaluate arguments

• understand some basic logical terminology and methodology, informally at least.

Module content

Topics for lectures include deductive arguments, inductive arguments, abductive arguments, transcendental arguments, conditional propositions, disjunctive propositions, necessary and sufficient conditions, and formulating and replying to objections.

Texts for seminars include readings on topics in epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, political philosophy and philosophy of mind.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Module feedback

All formative and summative feedback will be returned in accordance with University and Departmental policy.

Indicative reading

The core texts for the module might include::

Plato, The Republic (trans. G. M. A. Grube, rev. C. D. C. Reeve (Hackett, 1992), Bk X, 608d–611d.

David Hume [1739-40], Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (ed. Stephen Buckle (Cambridge University Press, 2007)), Bk X (‘Of Miracles’).

George Berkeley (1712), ‘Passive Obedience: or, The Christian Doctrine of Not Resisting the Supreme Power, Proved and Vindicated upon The Principle of the Law of Nature in a Discourse Delivered at the Chapel of Trinity College, Dublin’

G. E. Moore [1939], ‘Proof of an External World’ (in Selected Writings, ed. Thomas Baldwin (Routledge, 1993))

David Enoch (2007), ‘An Outline of an Argument for Robust Metanormative Realism’ in Oxford Studies in Metaethics, 2007 (Oxford: OUP)