PY4648
Conceptual Engineering and its Role in Philosophy
2018-2019
30
15
SCQF level 10
1
Academic year(s): 2018-2019
SCOTCAT credits : 30
ECTS credits : 15
Level : SCQF level 10
Semester: 1
Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students
Planned timetable:
The module provides an introduction to the ways in which we can criticise and improve our concepts - what is sometimes called 'conceptual engineering'. The concepts we have can be problematic for a number of reasons: they can be politically or ethically objectionable, inconsistent, unacceptably indeterminate or vague, or have other undesirable features. One task of philosophy is to discover such conceptual deficiencies and provide strategies for improving our conceptual repertoire. We may ask, for instance: should a theory of truth describe our concept of truth, or replace it with a better one? Is one goal of political philosophy to improve the concepts we use for thinking about social reality? If the answer to such questions is yes, then how do we go about doing it?
Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass PY1006 or pass PY1012
Anti-requisite(s): You cannot take this module if you take PY4601
Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour lecture and 1 x 1-hour seminar.
Scheduled learning hours: 33
Guided independent study hours: 267
As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%
As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%
Re-assessment: Coursework = 100%