PHIL30820 Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason

Academic Year 2020/2021

Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) was perhaps the most profound thinker of that period of modern history known as the Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason, and he has also arguably been the philosophical figure who has had the greatest overall influence on the subsequent development of Western philosophy from the late eighteenth century to the present day. Kant's monumental _Critique of Pure Reason_ (1781) was revolutionary in its 'transcendental' approach to the classical problems of metaphysics and epistemology, including devastating critiques of traditional empiricist and rationalist approaches (classical and modern) to the metaphysics of mind, the nature of knowledge, space, time, causality, and philosophical theology. His writing is exceptionally difficult both terminologically and conceptually, but students who take the time to wrestle with selections from this classic text, aided by the lecturer's introductory book, O'Shea, James _Kant's Critique of Pure Reason: An Introduction_ (Routledge, 2012), will come to appreciate the depth of the problems Kant was attempting to resolve. There will also be substantial introduction to David Hume's (1711–1776) sceptical naturalist philosophy, which was so influential on Kant.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Having completed this module students should be able to articulate the central claims in Kant's groundbreaking Critique of Pure Reason, and how this contrasts with the theories of knowledge of Descartes, Leibniz, and Hume in particular. Students will also be able to identify some of the leading characteristics of that period of thought known as the Enlightenment. The module will help students to understand and think creatively about central notions in epistemology and metaphysics, to gain facility with such concepts as empiricism, transcendental arguments, causal inference, our knowledge of space and time, substance and identity, the unity of consciousness, and sceptical questions arising from problems of perception and objectivity. One central learning outcome will be further developing one's ability to structure an interpretive and argumentative essay in philosophy clearly and forcefully, improving one's ability to produce good analytical, argument-based written work in general. Students will gain practice in thinking hard about complex concepts and argument forms both in their historical context and in their continuing importance today.

Indicative Module Content:

This module provides a complete introduction to the central themes in Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, also providing background on the Enlightenment and on Kant's predecessors Descartes, Leibniz, and Hume (in particular).

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20

Tutorial

7

Autonomous Student Learning

98

Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In addition to lectures involving question-and-answer with students, the analytical and interpretive essay will focus on improving critical thinking skills and logical analysis of texts, concepts, and arguments. The short online assignments and/or quizzes will seek to test and enhance basic accumulating knowledge of key concepts, the interpretation of and critical reflection on key texts, and imaginative reflection on the various conceptual issues raised. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It is highly recommended, but not strictly required, that students have completed at least one philosophy course previously, before attempting this course, as the readings from Kant’s Critique are quite technical and difficult (although deep and interesting, too!).


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Online assessment through Brightspace during Week 12 (further details to be determined). Week 12 n/a Graded No

45

Essay: 1500–2000 word essay. (Due date mid-semester, to be determined.) Unspecified n/a Graded Yes

30

Continuous Assessment: Short online assignments and/or (announced) quizzes. Overall engagement. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

25


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback on essay within three weeks of submission.