University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: To be arranged.

Knowledge is power, but ignorance is bliss. What we know - and what we don't know - is intimately connected to who we are, both collectively and individually. This module will explore the borderzones between epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy, focusing on three main issues. First, what is the epistemological significance of our race, gender, social class, or other identities? Second, what are the democratic significance of expert and citizen knowledge, and how is public discourse threatened by group polarization, ignorance or conspiracy theorising? Third, what tensions are there between our right to knowledge, and our right to privacy?

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass PY1012

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour lecture and 1 x 1-hour seminar.

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%


Re-assessment: 1 or more essays to a total of 7,000 words

Personnel

Module coordinator: Professor K J Hawley
Module teaching staff: Prof K Hawley
Module coordinator email kjh5@st-andrews.ac.uk