University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: Mondays 2.00pm - 4.00pm

The unpredictability of rapid changes with global impact, from pandemic to financial instability, political polarization and extreme weather ‘events, has highlighted the difficulty of decision-making and action in conditions of radical uncertainty. Starting with two cutting edge debates in International Relations, regarding the relevance of quantum theory to the social sciences and the possibility of a more Global IR, the module seeks to explore the parallel drawn by physicists over the last century between quantum physics and ancient Asian philosophies as a backdrop for rethinking mind, action and strategy in an uncertain world. The module will further reflect on the significance of a reorientation from the assumption of Newtonian physics, e.g. atomism, determinism and locality, to quantum complementarity, indeterminism, entanglement and non-locality for understanding pressing questions of inequality, colonialism, climate emergency and war. A physics background is not required.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 2-hour lectures and 2 office hours.

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%


Re-assessment: 3-hour Written Examination =100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Professor K M Fierke
Module teaching staff: Prof K M Fierke

Intended learning outcomes

• To understand the parallel between quantum physics and ancient Asian philosophies
• To understand the intersection of this parallel with cutting edge debates in IR
• To explore the implications of a shift from classical assumptions of atomism, determinism and locality, to quantum assumptions of complementarity, indeterminism, entanglement and non-locality for understanding an uncertain world.
• Building on quantum impermanence, complementarity and entanglement, to understand the usefulness of ancient Asian philosophies for conceptualizing human mind, action and strategy
• To think through the implications of this reorientation for understanding agency in the context of war or inequality.
• To identify family resemblances between the ancient Asian philosophies and indigenous knowledge systems, and the significance for understanding the relationship between colonialism and climate change, or alternative conceptions of globalization.