Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	LC Problems of Philosophy A
School	Phil, Theology and Religion
Department	Philosophy
Module Code	08 33817
Module Lead	Darragh Byrne
Level	Certificate Level
Credits	10
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-10 hours Seminar-8 hours Guided independent study-82 hours Total: 100 hours
Exclusions
Description	Together with Problems of Philosophy B, this module introduces a range of key philosophical problems most of which practically everyone with a philosophical temperament has puzzled over before. Philosophy students will grapple with many of these again later in their degree, and throughout their degree, module convenors will presuppose at least some familiarity with these topics. The module also facilitates the acquisition of key philosophical study skills such as essay-writing. The philosophical topics covered in Problems of Philosophy A are four of the following: Scepticism (how can I know anything at all about the world?); Free will (how can I think and act freely, if all my thoughts and actions are determined by the laws that govern the Universe?)The existence of God (does S/He exist?); Realism vs antirealism (to what extent is reality distinct from how it appears?); The mind/body problem (is the mind just the brain?); Personal identity (what is it about you that makes you the same person as you were years ago?); Utilitarianism vs. Deontology (are actions morally right and wrong ‘in themselves’, or are they so just because of the effects they have on people’s happiness, etc.?); Ethical obligation (how much should we help people much worse-off than ourselves?); Moral relativism (are moral values absolute or do they vary from one culture/person to others?); The requirements of justice (Who should have what?).
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate some understanding of the quintessential philosophical issues covered in the module, and appreciate something of why they are so central to our subject; Demonstrate some appreciation of strengths and weaknesses of certain philosophical theories through which philosophers have tried to grapple with these issues; Write an essay, critically explaining and evaluating some of these philosophical theories.
Assessment	33817-01 : Assessment 1 - 1500 word Essay : Coursework (50%) 33817-02 : Assessment 2 - CT Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	The assessment for modules 33817 and 33820 is linked. Assessment: 1 x 1500 word essay (normally in Semester 1) (50%) 1 x 90min centrally timeabled Written exam (normally in Semester 2) (50%) Reassessment: Re-submission of failed component
Other
Reading List