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PY1014 Philosophy 1: Topics in Mind, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Language, and Philosophy of Science

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A Douglas

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Alexander Douglas

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module is an introduction to philosophical issues and methods in the philosophy of mind, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language, and philosophy of science. We will discuss questions such as the following: What am I, and what is reality? Am I part of the scientific, law-governed material world? How could a material thing be conscious? What is the relation between experience and reality? Are some ways of classifying things more natural, and others more conventional or constructed? If so, where do ways of classifying people (such as gender or racial categories) fall? Am I the same person as I was 10 years ago? What can we know, and how? What is meaning? How do we do things with words? What is the relation between causes and effects? And how does science model reality?

Relationship to other modules

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU HAVE TAKEN, OR ARE TAKING PY1010 OR PY2012.

Assessment pattern

40% Coursework 60% Exam

Re-assessment

100% Exam

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 lectures (x10 weeks), 1 tutorial (x9 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

170

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key questions and debates in the philosophy of mind, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language, and philosophy of science.
  • Use valuable skills in reasoning and abstract thought by analysing and critically evaluating positions and arguments in the historical and contemporary philosophical literature.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the relevance of debates on philosophical issues to problems of real-world social and political concern.
  • Demonstrate core skills in philosophy, including the ability to interpret and engage with philosophical texts, evaluate arguments, and develop one’s own critical ideas in response.