In 2024, PHIL2014 will focus on Metaphysics, Epistemology, and Society: Identity and Knowledge in a Social World.
Metaphysics is the study of the fundamental nature of reality, and epistemology is the study of the nature of knowledge. This course is about the social aspects of those fields. In the first half of the course, on social metaphysics, we’ll ask what socially constructed categories are, and whether or not they’re “real.” We’ll learn methods for working out answers to questions like, What is race?, What is gender?, and What is disability? We’ll also look at a range of answers to those questions, including some Indigenous perspectives, and whether we should get rid of some social categories altogether; for example, some people have argued that we’re better off without the concept of race.
In the section on social epistemology, we’ll start by learning some leading views of what knowledge is and what it takes for a belief to be justified. We’ll then look at knowledge and justification in social contexts. Questions we’ll investigate include: Should you ever believe something’s morally right or wrong just because someone tells you it is? When people as informed and smart as us disagree with us, should we change our beliefs? How does culture relate to knowledge? For example, many philosophers say that philosophy is an exclusively Western phenomenon; are they right? How do you know when what you’re being told is propaganda, and is propaganda always a bad thing? Throughout the course, we’ll examine how the topics we’ll discuss relate to important issues in public policy and the social sciences.
Analytic philosophy is the dominant style of philosophy in the English-speaking world, characterised by its emphasis on clarity and rigor in the analysis of concepts and arguments. The traditional core areas of analytic philosophy include metaphysics (focused on issues about the fundamental nature of reality), epistemology (focused on issues about knowledge), philosophy of language, and philosophy of mind. This course will introduce you to the central issues in one or more of these traditional core areas of analytic philosophy. The precise topics will change from year to year. By the end of this course, you will both understand the key philosophical concepts, theories, and arguments covered in the course, and also learn how to apply the analytic rigor characteristic of this work to your own writing and argumentation.
Please note that the course content, assessment structure, and reading list will change depending on the topic and the expertise of the lecturer convening the course. Please refer to the class summary for the specific term in which you wish to enrol for a detailed description.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Metaphysics
- Epistemology
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophy of Mind
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- demonstrate understanding of the key philosophical concepts, theories and arguments of covered in the course;
- critically examine the arguments engaged in the course and analyse core concepts, assumptions, and implications
- argue for a philosophical position, in written form, related to the material covered in the course; and
- engage in productive, well-reasoned discussion of the course material.
Indicative Assessment
- Essay 1 (1000 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Essay 2 (1500 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3]
- Take-home exam (40) [LO 1,2,3]
- Tutorial participation (10) [LO 1,2,4]
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact comprising lectures and tutorials
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
To enroll in this course, you must have completed 12 units of Philosophy (PHIL) courses, or by permission of the course convener.
Prescribed Texts
All relevant course materials will be made available on Wattle
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.