Module overview
According to rationalists, we can discover important truths about reality through the use of reason alone. The Rationalists of the 17th century, such as Descartes, Malebranche, Spinoza, and Leibniz, helped to found modern philosophy. In their seminal works, they introduced or cast in a new light fundamental questions about human beings and their place in the universe. The aim of this module is introduce you to some of the key ideas and arguments of the Rationalists, and the problems and challenges they face. You will explore such questions as: What can we know about the world? What is the fundamental nature of reality? Is the mind distinct from the body? Is there a God? What room is there for freedom of thought and action in a law-governed universe?
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- undertake, with adequate supervision, independent work, including identifying and using appropriate resources.
- work as part of a team in your essay group meetings on the analysis and evaluation of texts.
- work effectively to deadlines.
- take notes from talks and written materials.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- present and debate ideas, both orally and in writing, in an open minded and rigorous way.
- interpret, synthesise and criticise complex texts and positions.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the relationship between the views of the rationalists and contemporary discussions of the topics in question.
- some of the central issues raised in the work of rationalist philosophers.
- the rationalist project, its motivations, and the problems it faces.
Syllabus
The syllabus for this module may vary from year to year. It may include topics such as:
- What sort of knowledge, if any, can we have of the external world?
- What am I?
- How does the mind relate to the body?
- Is there a God?
- What are material objects?
- Are we free in thought or action?
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- Lectures
- In-class discussion
- Essay group tutorials
Learning activities include
- Attending lectures
- Contributing to discussion in lectures and tutorials
- Doing research for and writing assessed essays
- Applying techniques and skills learnt to your reading and writing inside and outside the module
In the lectures, you will not only be introduced to the philosophical issues central to this module and the ideas of the philosophers studied but also encouraged to think about them for yourself. Your own ideas and any difficulties you encounter can be raised and discussed in essay group meetings. The writing of essays should involve you in thinking deeply about the relevant issues and texts.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Wider reading or practice | 30 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 50 |
Seminar | 7 |
Lecture | 33 |
Completion of assessment task | 30 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Leibniz. Discourse on Metaphysics.
Spinoza. Ethics.
J Cottingham (1988). The Rationalists. Oxford University Press.
Descartes. Meditations on First Philosophy.
Malebranche. The Search After Truth.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Essay Essay Draft essaySummative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 50% |
Essay | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Timed Assignment | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 50% |
Essay | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External