PY4607
Continental European Philosophy from Descartes to Leibniz
2018-2019
30
15
SCQF level 10
2
Academic year(s): 2018-2019
SCOTCAT credits : 30
ECTS credits : 15
Level : SCQF level 10
Semester: 2
Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students
Planned timetable:
This module will focus upon the way in which Continental European philosophers of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century explored the problems inherent in the metaphysics of Descartes. Special attention will be given to questions such as the proper definition of substance; how to understand mind-body interaction, and causation in general; and what the relation between is between God and the universe. The systems of Descartes, Malebranche, and Spinoza will be examined as three very different ways of attempting to develop a coherent set of answers to these questions. In each case an attempt will be made to connect sometimes bizarre metaphysical theses with the ordinary world as experienced by human beings and as explored by natural scientists.
Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass PY1006 or pass PY1012
Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour lecture, 1 x 1-hour seminar and 1 other contact hour
Scheduled learning hours: 44
Guided independent study hours: 250
As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%
As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%
Re-assessment: Coursework = 100%