Module overview
The 17th and 18th centuries, a period of great intellectual and social upheaval, saw the rise of Modern Philosophy. In continental Europe, the 'Rationalism' of Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz argued for the capacity of reason to arrive at knowledge and understanding of the fundamental nature of reality, while the British 'Empiricists', including Locke, Berkeley and Hume, argued that all knowledge and understanding is ultimately grounded in sensory experience and grew increasingly sceptical of our capacity to discover the fundamental nature of reality. Many of the ideas and problems that contemporary philosophers grapple with were inherited from the Early Modern era, and the debates in which they now participate were in large part shaped by the concerns and theories of the Rationalists and Empiricists. So, an understanding of the philosophy of this period is not simply of considerable historical interest, but is essential for a serious engagement with contemporary philosophical thought. In this module, you will focus primarily on the Empiricists. The module aims to introduce you to their views on such topics as the mind and its relationship to the body, God, the nature of the external world, and the extent to which we can have knowledge of such things. The module also aims to give you the ability to examine critically those views and the arguments in support of them.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Of the central views of Locke, Berkeley and Hume.
- Of the bearing of these views on contemporary philosophical issues.
- Of the development of Empiricism and its relationship to the views of Descartes and his fellow Rationalists.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate enhanced skills in essay writing, planning and research.
- Scrutinise complex texts and extract from them key information.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Compare and contrast the views of the British Empiricists.
- Relate the issues the module concerns to issues in contemporary philosophy.
- Evaluate those arguments critically and carefully.
- Outline and evaluate the arguments they offer in support of those views in light of recent commentary.
Syllabus
The syllabus may vary from year to year. Topic may include:
1. Introduction to Rationalism and Empiricism
2. Locke on perception, the external world and the self
3. Berkeley on the external world, God and the self
4. Hume on causation, the external world and the self
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- In-class discussion
- One to one consultation with the module coordinator
Learning activities include:
- Attending classes
- Participating in class discussion
- Preparing for and completing assessment tasks
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Follow-up work | 22 |
| Revision | 22 |
| Wider reading or practice | 22 |
| Completion of assessment task | 22 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 22 |
| Seminar | 7 |
| Lecture | 33 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
John Locke. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.
David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
R Meyers (2006). Understanding Empiricism. Acumen.
George Berkeley. A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge.
Assessment
Formative
Formative assessment description
Draft essaySummative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Timed Assignment | 45% |
| Test | 10% |
| Essay | 45% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External