PHI-10022 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module introduces some of the oldest known philosophy, from three traditions: Indian, early Buddhism, and Greek. Three main topics will be studied from the perspective of philosophers from these different traditions: the world, knowledge, and the nature of the self or soul. Students will become familiar with the distinctive approaches to philosophical issues, and also consider how social and linguistic differences and developments have played a part in shaping philosophical problems. The module will also explore how the questions considered are relevant to philosophical debates today.

To introduce students to three key traditions in the history of ancient philosophy.

Intended Learning Outcomes

explain fundamental ideas from three major ancient traditions of philosophical thinking: Greek, Indian and early Buddhism: 2
research into some of the arguments or positions of ancient philosophers from three ancient philosophical traditions and present the results in writing: 1,2
present critically on the basis of lecture and seminar discussions, as well as on the basis of further research, some of the main concepts and views of the topics covered in the course: 1,2
illustrate the general relevance of ancient philosophy for contemporary philosophical thought: 2
understand the different social and political contexts in which the philosophers studied were working, and what they took the aims of philosophy to be: 1,2
reflect in discussion or writing upon the extent to which we can understand ancient philosophy texts, the problems which we might encounter in that endeavour: 1,2
give examples of differing interpretations of a philosophical position encountered within the texts, and to critically assess whether one interpretation is more plausible than another, giving reasons for this assessment: 1,2
recognise and explain cases where linguistic accident, or lack of conceptual definition, has produced philosophical problems which we may not consider to be problematic, and to consider in discussion whether this phenomenon might apply to current philosophical debates: 1,2

Study hours

10 hours lectures
10 hours seminars
50 hours preparation for seminars and seminar work
40 hours preparation for essay
40 hours preparation for exam

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment