PH373-15 The Philosophy of Time
Introductory description
The nature of time has been a preoccupation of Western philosophy since its beginnings in Ancient Greece. Time is a fundamental, ever-present, feature of our lives, and yet something that can come to look deeply puzzling as soon as we start thinking about it.
Module aims
This module aims to introduce students to some of these puzzles, and to philosophers’ attempts to resolve them. In doing so, it also aims to foster an understanding of what makes the questions these puzzles raise distinctly philosophical ones.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
I. The Metaphysics of Time
'Static' and 'Dynamic' Conceptions of Time
Debating the A-theory of Time
Past and Future: the Epistemic Asymmetry
Entropy and the Direction of Time
Time Travel
II. Temporal Experience
The Snapshot Theory of Temporal Experience
Retentionalism vs. Extensionalism
Passage and Illusion
Human Time and Physical Time
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a good understanding of a number of ways in which time has been and continues to be the subject of philosophical debates.
- Critically evaluate different claims made about time in the history of philosophy, and in different areas of philosophy such as metaphysics, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of mind.
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Interdisciplinary
As part of the module, we will consider connections between the philosophy of time and the psychology of time. We will also consider some aspects of the physics of time.
Subject specific skills
Students should be able to express themselves using precise philosophical vocabulary, appreciate what makes some questions about the nature and experience of time distinctly philosophical ones, and engage independently in philosophical debate.
Transferable skills
(i) The capacity to read complex material effectively and critically.
(ii) The capacity to explain ideas and arguments clearly, briefly and accurately.
(iii) The capacity o think about problems by deploying the capacity for clear thinking and reasoning
(iv) The capacity to communicate effectively in a group environment.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 sessions of 1 hour (12%) |
| Seminars | 8 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
| Private study | 124 hours (83%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Private study, seminar preparation and assessment preparation
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group B3
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take Home Exam | 20% | No | |
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1000 word take-home exam |
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| 2 hour examination | 80% | No | |
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Assessment group R
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hour exam | 100% | No | |
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Feedback on assessment
Students will receive individualised written feedback on both the take-home exam and the main exam.
Courses
This module is Core option list F for:
- Year 4 of UMAA-GV18 Undergraduate Mathematics and Philosophy with Intercalated Year
This module is Option list B for:
- Year 2 of UHIA-V1V5 Undergraduate History and Philosophy
- Year 3 of UMAA-G106 Undergraduate Mathematics (MMath) with Study in Europe
This module is Option list E for:
- Year 2 of UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law