Rationality

Subject 161-439 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2008.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour lecture/seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: *
Prerequisites: Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in philosophy.
Corequisites: *
Recommended Background Knowledge: *
Non Allowed Subjects: *
Core Participation Requirements: *

Coordinator

Dr Karen Jones
Subject Overview:

Human agents are often thought to be differentiated from animal agents in virtue of possessing the capacity for rationality. This class examines recent work on the nature of rationality. In some years the focus will be on issues in theoretical rationality, in other years on issues in practical rationality. Topics to be covered will be drawn from but not limited to: (1) Emotion and reason: Are emotions assessable for rationality? What contribution do they make to our rationality? (2) Action explanation: What is a rationalising explanation? (3) Epistemic and practical norms: What is the significance of empirical work for philosophical accounts of rationality? Do well-entrenched norms of rationality survive scrutiny? (4) Gender and rationality: Does the concept of rationality display gender-bias?

Assessment: A 5000-word essay 100% (due at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts: Prescribed Texts:A booklet of readings will be made available by the department.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • develop skills in assessing the strength of arguments, identifying theoretical assumptions, and assessing conflicting arguments;

  • improve the ability to develop and defend one's own position with respect to complex theoretical issues;

  • have learnt skills to present complex ideas clearly.
Related Course(s): Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Philosophy)
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Philosophy)

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