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
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the rationalist project, its motivations, and the problems it faces.
- some of the central issues raised in the work of rationalist philosophers.
- the relationship between the views of the rationalists and contemporary discussions of the topics in question.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- work as part of a team in your essay group meetings on the analysis and evaluation of texts.
- work effectively to deadlines.
- undertake, with adequate supervision, independent work, including identifying and using appropriate resources.
- 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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Completion of assessment task | 30 |
| Seminar | 7 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 50 |
| Lecture | 33 |
| Wider reading or practice | 30 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Descartes. Meditations on First Philosophy.
Spinoza. Ethics.
J Cottingham (1988). The Rationalists. Oxford University Press.
Malebranche. The Search After Truth.
Leibniz. Discourse on Metaphysics.
Assessment
Formative
Formative assessment description
Essay Essay Draft essaySummative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Essay | 50% |
| Essay | 50% |
Repeat
Repeat assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Essay | 50% |
| Essay | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External