Space, Time, and Motion
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHIL2055 | Philosophy | 2 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- PHIL2055
- School
- Philosophy
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
What is the nature of space, time and motion? Is space/time/motion relative or absolute? How can we come to know? These are some central questions in the philosophy of space and time which this module explores.
This module will discuss how thinkers such as Descartes, Newton, Leibniz, Du Chatelet, Mach and Einstein have used philosophical arguments to try to answer the question about the nature of space, time and motion.
No knowledge of physics or mathematics beyond mathematics GCSE level will be expected.
Target Students
Second year single honours and joint honours Philosophy students and exchange students. Also available to second year Liberal Arts students who have either done PHIL1012 or PHIL1013; or are doing PHIL1012 OR PHIL1013 (co-requisite). Also available to single honours Philosophy and joint honours Music and Philosophy students in their final year taking 20 credits of Level 2 modules.
Co-requisites
Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:
Classes
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
Assessment
- 50% Coursework: 2000 word essay
- 50% Exam (2-hour): 2 hour exam
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to give students an understanding of the historical and contemporary debate about the nature of space, time, and motion. By the end of the module, students will be able to understand how scientists and philosophers posed and dealt with metaphysical and epistemological questions related to the nature of space, time and motion, and explain how their answers relate to debates in the contemporary philosophy of physics.Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and Understanding.
By the end of this module you should be able to understand, and demonstrate a clear grasp of, the main positions in the philosophical debates covered by the module.
B. Intellectual skills.
By the end of this module you should be able to:
- B1. Identify the underlying issues in the debates discussed.
- B2. Analyse the structure of complex and controversial problems, with an understanding of major strategies of reasoning designed to solve such problems.
- B3. Read carefully and interpret texts drawn from a variety of traditions, with sensitivity to context.
- B4. Abstract, analyse and construct logical arguments, employing techniques of formal and informal methods of reasoning as appropriate, together with an ability to recognise any relevant fallacies.
- B5. Recognise and judge for yourself the strengths and weaknesses of arguments on both sides of each philosophical issue.
- B6. Appreciate and articulate how cultural context shapes philosophical thought and practice.
- B7. Understand how translation of terminology can affect philosophical understanding.
C. Practical Skills.
By the end of this module you should be able to
- C1. Identify textually-based arguments and subject their structure and implications to rigorous assessment.
- C2. Understand any relevant specialist philosophical terminology and be able to use it properly.
- C3. Review unfamiliar ideas with an open mind and a willingness to change one’s mind when appropriate.
- C4. Locate ideas and concerns within their historical and cultural context and explain this to others.
D. Transferable skills.
By the end of this module you should be able to
- D1. Express views on (abstract) issues clearly and concisely in writing.
- D2. Participate effectively and appropriately in constructive debate on relevant issues.
- D3. Work autonomously and manage one’s own work to time limits.
- D4. Marshal a complex body of information, construct cogent arguments in the evaluation of this material, and present a clear and well-structured assessment of relevant considerations.
- D5. Think creatively, self-critically and independently about new and unfamiliar problems.
- D6. Explain ideas and terms from other cultures in a clear, concise, and philosophically precise manner.
- D7. Information Literacy: the ability to independently find and evaluate sources of information.