Credit Points 20

Legacy Code 102615

Coordinator Dennis Schmidt Opens in new window

Description Theoretical Philosophy focuses on theories of knowledge, theories of being, and systems of thought. While it is traditionally described under the heading of epistemology and metaphysics, theoretical philosophy should be more broadly understood as devoted to philosophical investigations into the underlying systems, theories, and presuppositions upon which any account of the world, experience, or even truth has been built. This subject will be devoted to an explication of either thematically related theoretical investigations, such as, for example, '17th-century theories of matter,' or 'the nature of language,' or it will focus instead on one central philosophical figure, e.g., 'Plato's metaphysics of the soul,' 'Kant's system of transcendental idealism,' etc.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Philosophy

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 20cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in a postgraduate program.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Identify major philosophical approaches to theoretical philosophy.
2. Analyse primary texts devoted to theoretical philosophy.
3. Apply basic philosophical analyses to specific questions regarding the nature of reality.

Subject Content

Theories of truth
Theories of being
Theories of human nature
Theories of the soul and the existence of God
Theories of material being
Theories of language